‘Hesitant’ Jerry Jones breaks silence on whether HC Mike McCarthy will have his job next year if Cowboys have a poor playoff run

Jones said he will be closely watching every game until the end of the season to make a decision about McCarthy.

Jerry Jones did not do any favors for Mike McCarthy on Sunday night. Even though the Dallas Cowboys secured another NFC East title, their owner stirred the pot by releasing a cryptic statement about the Dallas Cowboys head coach’s position in the franchise.

The Cowboys finished their regular season with a 38-10 win against their NFC East rivals, the Washington Commanders. With it, they also clinched the divisional crown after a one-year interval. For most franchises, it means a secured job for head coaches and the coaching staff. But that’s not the case when it’s the ‘Americas Team.’

The Cowboys head coaching job is the hottest and arguably one of the most lucrative positions in sports. It not only attracts attention but also a deep burden and the pressure of succeeding. But since Jerry Jones’s early tenure at Arlington, Dallas has yet to reach its peak. Their wait for another Super Bowl win has spanned more than two decades.

During the post-match Q&A session in Washington, Jones had a chat with the Athletic’s Jon Machota. He said:

I just think his record speaks for itself. what he’s done and that we’ve put ourselves in this position over these last three years. We’ve got a lot of football left. We'll see how each game goes.

Jerry Jones on Mike McCarthy’s future

The 2023 season is a great chance for them to finally break the circle of dread and lift another Lombardi Trophy. But failing to do so may have some repercussions for McCarthy. For now, his job is safe, but judging by Jones’ comments, anything can happen in the future.

Mike McCarthy will face his former side in the 2023 Wild Card round

ESPN’s Adam Schefter, on Saturday before the Commanders game, revealed a few key details on McCarthy’s job security. This is what he said:

If the Cowboys play well in the postseason, McCarthy would have an excellent chance to keep his job. But if they struggle and end the season with an embarrassing loss, as has happened in each of the past two years, then some say that change could come to Dallas.

Adam Schefter via ESPN

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy (Image via NFL.com)
That’s nothing new for McCarthy, who has seen it and done it all. His current focus is to do well in the playoffs and finally go past the divisional round for once.

Standing in his way are the Green Bay Packers, who sneaked into the playoffs after beating the Chicago Bears on the last day. But he’s not ready to be swayed by the emotional return to the place where he won the Super Bowl.

There’s only been one previous occasion on which he has faced the Packers. That was back in November 2022 at home. It’s the opposite this time as the Cowboys travel to snow-clad Lambeau Field and play for a win. But the last time Dallas won against Green Bay was back in 2016. The Packers have won nine of their ten meetings.