Everyone will remember 2024 for the antics of Jerry Jones. The Cowboys owner made some messy situations in contract deals, be it CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott, or Mike McCarthy. While the players got their contract extensions at the last moment, the head coach’s future is uncertain. However, Jones has shown that he wants the coach to stay at the franchise, and now, the analysts are trying to wrap their minds around this.

During his appearance on the December 24 episode of ESPN’s First Take show, the NFL legend Shannon Sharpe just went all out in his critique. When asked if the Cowboys owner should bring the head coach back, he questioned the owner’s stance and said, “Yeah, if you’re okay with win of the division and being one and done, absolutely, why not? That’s what you get (when) you do what you’ve always done.”

He later raised doubts about the GM’s leadership amid fans’ expectations and added, “Where was the leadership in the first 10 games? Where was the leadership in the first 12 games? There was none. Now all of a sudden, if you thought so highly of him, why didn’t you give him a contract extension and what has he done to want to make you think now he’s the guy to lead us into the future?”

He was right about his questions. The team suffered a massive loss on Jerry Jones’ birthday on October 13. Detroit Lions crushed them with 47-9. Before Dak Prescott injured himself in the week 9 matchup against the Falcons, the Cowboys already had a 3-4 win-loss record. After that, they were just directionless. They lost the week 10 game against the Eagles by 6-34 and the week 11 matchup against the Texans by 10-34.

However, things improved from week 11 onwards, as they have won 4 of 5 games. But just a few hours before their week 16 matchup against the Buccaneers, they were out of the playoffs race. Amid all these developments, the question still remains. Why did Jerry Jones not extend Mike McCarthy’s contract earlier if he was happy with his performance?

Sharpe, too, echoed the same sentiment and added, “I’m confused. You don’t make the playoffs and you’re thinking about keeping him when you go 12 and five for three consecutive years. You don’t extend it…what am I missing?” Well, the answer is obvious.

Jerry Jones likes to keep his plans under wraps. He would twirl his talk and might give a signal sometimes, but never revealed his plan. This sometimes irritates the fans and players, but that’s his style.

Jerry Jones praises Mike McCarthy amid comeback rumors

In the week 16 matchup, the Cowboys stunned everyone by defeating the Buccaneers 26-24. The owner of the American team was very happy. He praised the head coach and said, “Mike McCarthy, he just won’t let them not think they’re playing for the Super Bowl out there. He won’t let them do it. So proud of that.” That was great. But don’t get too carried away.

In his style, he refused to mention if they would sign him again or not and said, “All I can say is what a good job, how good a job he’s doing. Don’t have thoughts that I would share as to anything about what we do … after we’re through playing this year.” That’s what confuses everyone. Even when Jerry Jones danced his way to the Cowboys locker room, he had some serious talk with Mike McCarthy there.

Overall, the head coach has achieved moderate success with the franchise. Although this year he failed, in the last 4 seasons, he has taken them to playoffs 3 times. His personal equation with the owner has also been great, as there have never been any talks of a rift or dissatisfaction. But fans are getting desperate.

The drought of a Super Bowl continues. 3 decades have passed. Can they do it next year? Fans believe them, but that’s a wait too long.