After a disappointing playoff exit, the Dallas Cowboys have made the decision to bring back Mike McCarthy as their head coach for a fifth season. Despite the team’s stunning wild-card loss to the Green Bay Packers, owner and general manager Jerry Jones is confident in McCarthy’s leadership and ability to guide the team to future success.
A Historic Playoff Collapse
The Cowboys, the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, suffered a significant upset as they became the first team to lose to the last team to make it into the playoffs since the format was adopted. Despite a strong end to the regular season, winning the NFC East title, the Cowboys failed to reach the conference title game for the third consecutive year.
Trust in McCarthy’s Leadership
Jerry Jones expressed his confidence in McCarthy, stating that his regular-season winning percentage is the highest in Cowboys history. The goal is now to translate that success into postseason accomplishments. McCarthy, who won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers and led them to the NFC championship game three times, was hired by the Cowboys to bring them deep into the playoffs.
Reviewing and Deciding
With only one year remaining on his contract, McCarthy’s future is uncertain beyond the upcoming season. The Cowboys organization, including Jerry Jones, will undertake a thorough review to evaluate all aspects of the team and roster. While specific players and extensions are not being addressed at this point, they will receive deep consideration.
The Prescott Factor
Quarterback Dak Prescott, who played poorly in the playoff game against the Packers, also has one year left on his contract. Despite the disappointing performance, the Cowboys led the NFL in passing touchdowns and completion percentage under Prescott’s play throughout the season. Jones might be interested in seeing how the dynamic between McCarthy and Prescott develops further.
A Holistic Evaluation
Jones emphasized that the loss in the playoffs is a shared responsibility among everyone involved in the organization, including the players, coaches, front office, and himself. He firmly stated his support for McCarthy as the head coach and his belief in McCarthy’s ability to help the team achieve their goals.
The Cowboys are aware that they might lose defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to a head coaching job, as his future with the team remains uncertain. Despite the disappointing performance of the defense against the Packers, the Cowboys are hopeful that they can bounce back stronger next season under the continued leadership of Mike McCarthy.
This article is published on F5 Magazine.