The Cowboys sure have a knack for keeping us on our toes, letting coaches play out their contracts before deciding to renew them. Just look at Jason Garrett – he got his extension in 2015, only to be shown the door after his contract expired in 2019. Now, it’s Mike McCarthy’s turn to feel the heat.
McCarthy’s Uphill Battle
Stepping into the final year of his contract with the Cowboys, Mike McCarthy isn’t shying away from calling it a “challenge.” And Jerry Jones, the ever-optimistic maestro, believes that having your back against the wall is the ultimate motivator. “Absolutely, I do. I really do,” Jones proclaimed. “There’s no question in my mind that angst, pressure, and competing bring out the best in this game from coaches and players alike. But… this game requires a bit more fire under the feet of those on the field.”
The Record Speaks, but Does It Matter?
With back-to-back-to-back 12-win seasons under his belt, McCarthy has achieved something not seen in Dallas since the legendary 1990s dynasty. The Cowboys boast a 36-15 regular-season record over the past three seasons – a feat only surpassed by the Chiefs, who stand at 37-14 during that same stretch.
But let’s not kid ourselves – regular-season success isn’t the magic ticket. The Chiefs have two consecutive Super Bowl titles in their trophy case, while the Cowboys are grappling with just one playoff win. Jones isn’t extending McCarthy’s contract yet, even though his record certainly warrants it.
McCarthy’s Response
“I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a coach change how he coaches or how hard he works because of a contract,” said Jones. “I didn’t even know that could happen. What I do see is no change in Mike. He’s a Super Bowl-winning coach with an outstanding record since his arrival. And that’s the bottom line.”
Jones can’t shake off last season’s crushing 48-32 home loss in the wild-card round, a game that, let’s be honest, wasn’t as close as the score suggests. It’s a sore spot, especially since the Cowboys haven’t tasted NFC Championship Game glory since 1995. “We all have Green Bay on our mind,” Jones mentioned. “Until we address that, there’s always going to be a bad taste lingering.”
Needed: Production Beyond CeeDee Lamb
When asked about CeeDee Lamb and whether the team needed more production from others to alleviate the pressure on their star receiver, McCarthy had a sharp response. “We keep talking about playoffs and things like that, but when did winning 12 games in a season become easy?” he questioned. “We need to focus on winning week in and week out.”
Despite McCarthy’s impressive regular-season track record, Jones appears to weigh the Cowboys’ performance heavily on their success in January and February. The Cowboys’ abysmal 5-13 postseason record since 1995 speaks volumes. Though Jones hasn’t spelled out exactly what McCarthy needs to do to secure an extension, it’s clear that another 12-win regular season coupled with an early playoff exit won’t cut it.
The Stakes
The clock is ticking and the stakes are sky-high for McCarthy and the Cowboys. It’s clear Jones expects more than just regular-season triumphs. Will McCarthy overcome the challenges and lead the team to postseason glory, or will history repeat itself? As they say, only time will tell, and in the NFL, time waits for no one.
