The Dallas Cowboys and Head Coach Mike McCarthy are reportedly interested in continuing to work together. On Friday, they began to discuss the terms for a contract extension.
Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported on Friday that the Cowboys took “several days of discussions about the 2024 season and the future” and that the two sides “remain open to moving forward together.”
“There have been no negotiations yet and still are other issues to work through. McCarthy’s contract is set to expire Tuesday, giving Dallas a few more days to work out a deal. Otherwise, McCarthy would be free to pursue other opportunities,” Pelissero added in the report.
Pelissero added that McCarthy and the Cowboys were expected to begin negotiations on a new contract on Friday, though he provided no clear indication of when the two sides expected to complete the deal.
This report is not surprising after Dallas denied the Chicago Bears’ request to interview McCarthy for the head coach position. It provides a clear indication that the franchise intended to bring him back in the future, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Despite the Cowboys finishing just 7-10 and third in the NFC East this season, Jones said he was impressed at how McCarthy turned the season around.
“The main thing is, I like the job that he’s done; it’s unfortunate we’ve had the year that we’ve had, but I feel good about Mike,” said Jones, as reported by DX.
McCarthy finished his fifth year with the Cowboys and has put together an impressive overall record of 49-35 with three straight 12-5 seasons between 2021 and 2023.
As a result of this regular-season success, the Cowboys have entered multiple postseasons with high expectations of making a deep run; however, these McCarthy-led teams have failed to reach expectations in every season.
The Cowboys’ playoff record during McCarthy’s five seasons as head coach was only 1-3, including multiple embarrassing losses to the rival Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers.
However, the franchise is seemingly content with the status quo and will look to bring McCarthy back on a new contract while retooling the roster for a competitive run next season.