The Dallas Cowboys will have to decide whether to sign Head Coach Mike McCarthy to a new contract in the upcoming offseason.
Quarterback Dak Prescott has voiced his support for retaining McCarthy.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that it is “not crazy” to envision McCarthy staying on as head coach in future seasons despite the issues in the 2024 season.
Prescott has stood up for the Cowboys head coach and said he would welcome him back next season if the organization decides to extend him.
Although the Cowboys went just 3-5 in the eight games in which Prescott started this season, he said the outcome could have been very different if he had been healthy for the second half of the year.
Prescott said it is difficult to be on the sidelines with an injury this season, explaining that he will continue to “support Mike to every extent” possible while he is off the field.
“I believe in him wholeheartedly,” said Prescott, per Yahoo Sports. “I don’t want to necessarily get into the nuts and the screws of it all obviously, but I think he definitely deserves a chance — another contract and a chance to coach this team amongst more influence. ‘On his terms’ may be a good way to say it.”
Before the 2024 season, McCarthy had led the Cowboys to three straight playoff appearances and 12 wins in the regular season, but the real issues have arisen during playoff games.
The Cowboys’ playoff record during these appearances is just 1-3, including multiple embarrassing losses to the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers.
However, McCarthy has raved about his time in Dallas and said that he appreciates the organization’s trust in him, specifically pointing to his input on roster personnel.
“I think it’s like any job and this one specifically: I have a clear understanding of the responsibility,” McCarthy said, according to NBC Sports. “This is the most input I’ve ever been a part of as a head coach in personnel, particularly in the draft. We spend a tremendous amount of time as a coaching staff on the draft.”
The Cowboys are amidst a difficult season in which various players have suffered significant injuries. The team is currently 5-7 and third in the NFC East division.
Although the Cowboys still have a path to the playoffs, the team will likely have to win the remaining five games this season to secure one of the three wild card spots in the NFC.
This hunt for a playoff spot will be much more difficult following the news that guard Zack Martin will undergo season-ending surgery on his ankle, as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Dallas will look to continue this playoff search on Monday at 7:15 p.m. against the Cincinnati Bengals, a game that could officially eliminate either team from playoff contention.