Jerry Jones is known for playing with deadlines when it comes to contract decisions, as seen with players like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
However, he took a different approach when it came to head coach Mike McCarthy, whose five-year contract was set to end on Tuesday.
Despite the pattern of waiting until the last minute, news emerged on Monday that Jones and the Cowboys will bring in a new head coach after failing to agree on the length of a new contract with McCarthy.
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Jones had previously rejected overtures from Chicago
Just last week there were signs that the Cowboys might extend McCarthy’s tenure, such as Jones denying the Bears’ request to interview him.
Additionally, McCarthy and the Jones family went through three rounds of negotiations, discussing the team’s struggles and McCarthy’s plans to improve the roster, as well as his approach to the offense. However, none of these discussions seemed to sway Jones.
After a disappointing 7-10 season, McCarthy leaves Dallas with a solid 49-35 record. Under his leadership, the Cowboys made three consecutive playoff appearances. However, this season, Dallas struggled at home, winning only 2 out of 9 games, a significant drop from their previous two-year unbeaten streak at home.
The humiliating way in which the 2023 season ended made many feel that McCarthy had reached the end of his time in Dallas, especially with Bill Belichick having been on the market at that time.
Alas, Jones didn’t wish to make a coaching change and has since paid for it with a mediocre season.
Of course, McCarthy’s final season in Dallas wasn’t entirely his fault. Injuries to key players like Dak Prescott, Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence, Trevon Diggs, and CeeDee Lamb undoubtedly impacted the team’s performance.
Now, reports are emerging that the New Orleans Saints, where McCarthy previously served as offensive coordinator, are interested in bringing him back.
The question now is whether McCarthy can prove his worth elsewhere, especially in New Orleans, as the Saints look to rebuild and potentially revive their offense under his guidance.
