Jerry, you have got to let us know.
Mike McCarthy’s future as Dallas Cowboys head coach has been subject to much debate over the last few weeks.
Embarrassing performances culminated in a five-game losing streak from a 3-2 to 3-7 record. It looked a certainty that the Cowboys were going to part ways with McCarthy at the end of the season.
The Cowboys were decimated free agency with nine starters leaving. Only one player was brought in to fill one of those spots.
A much-maligned defense suffered an incredible run of injuries to key players, then quarterback Dak Prescott went down injured for the season.
It is safe to say the season was a write off from there.
It’s always tease, tease, tease
McCarthy has had the kind of success in his five seasons as Cowboys head coach that 20-plus franchises would love to have.
Three 12-win seasons, two playoff wins and with two other seasons disrupted with season-ending injuries to Dak Prescott.
However, the Cowboys have failed to get it done when it matters most in the playoffs.
Two infuriating defeats to the San Francisco 49ers and a blowout loss at home to the Green Bay Packers have been the stick that has been used to beat McCarthy’s tenure in Dallas.
One day is fine the next is black
McCarthy has led the Cowboys to four wins in the last five games.
The defense has steadily improved which has sparked the talk of owner Jerry Jones keeping McCarthy on for another season.
We know Jerry Jones likes to give coaches time, too much time some might say looking at previous head coach Jason Garrett.
It feels like the Cowboys are only one defeat away from another crisis, but they have the opportunity to finish the season with winning record.
The Cowboys have the Eagles this week who are playing a back-up quarterback, and the Commanders in Week 18 who could sit starters.
With a defense that has got better as the season has gone on under defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, could Jones bring the band back for another go around in 2025?
If I go there will be trouble, if I stay it will be double
While McCarthy should be commended on the job he has done since Prescott went down injured, for me it is a straightforward decision. Thank you Mike but we will be moving on.
The few bright spots this season sadly do not outweigh the laundry list of problems facing the Cowboys heading into 2025 and beyond.
Severely hampered with the salary cap due to the huge contracts of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, the problem will become even more difficult with the addition of Micah Parson’s inevitable bumper deal.
McCarthy should not be solely held accountable for the Cowboys struggles to get over the hump during his time in Dallas. However, Jerry Jones the owner is not going to fire Jerry Jones the general manager anytime soon.
If you don’t want me, set me free
Mike Vrabel, Ben Johnson, Joe Brady and even Deion Sanders have all been linked with the potential head coach vacancy in Dallas.
While it may be a tad early to be looking ahead at a new leader for the team, the Cowboys should do the right thing by the franchise and by Mike McCarthy.
Let him go on Black Monday into the pool of coaches looking for their next opportunity.
