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When you win, everything is great as you go back to the locker room after the game.
But for Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, any win through the rest of the regular season could mean a contract extension. And a warm embrace with owner Jerry Jones has football fans wondering if that’s on the horizon.
McCarthy and Jones were spotted sharing a big hug after the Cowboys won Tampa Bay Buccaneers26-24, on “Sunday Night Football.”
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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones takes questions with new head coach Mike McCarthy during a press conference at the Ford Center at the Star. (Matthew Emmons-USA Today Sports)
There were big smiles as they hugged, but Jones also seemed to turn serious when he spoke to McCarthy, even though the microphones couldn’t pick up what he was saying. Looking at things, it was one of those good, serious conversations as the Cowboys went 7-8 on the year.
Now, the reality of this season is that the Cowboys have been eliminated from playoff contention, which is not something Jones or anyone in the organization expects by the end of Week 17.
However, McCarthy has rejuvenated what was once a losing team to 3-7 after a loss to Houston Texans in November 18
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Dallas has won four of its last five games without franchise quarterback Dak Prescott, whose hamstring injury against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 3 required repair surgery, prematurely ending his 2024 campaign.
Jones liked what he saw from his owner’s box in recent weeks.
“Those guys came out and played like they were fighting in the championship game to go to the Super Bowl,” Jones said after the win, per Yahoo Sports. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of them and the coaching staff. It really shows me something.”
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy watches the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
During his media presence, McCarthy talked about that locker room he was in, and how he feels his group is still playing like it’s the last game of the season, even if the playoffs aren’t on the cards.
“I just think it shows you who they are,” McCarthy explained. “I think everybody says coach always talks about the locker room — well, that’s what I’m talking about. When I talk about, ‘That’s a great locker room,’ this is the definition of it. This is what a great locker room looks like.”
Quite the turnaround for McCarthy, who looked like he was out of the gate as the Cowboys edged closer and closer to the No. 1 pick in the draft rather than a playoff spot. But despite the troubles in 2024, McCarthy got the stamp of approval from Prescott and others on the contract extension.
Jones himself even recently commented on McCarthy’s contract status, saying near Thanksgiving that he didn’t think extending him would be “crazy at all.” After all, McCarthy went 12-5 in each of the last three seasons before this one, which could still be a year above .500.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy walks on the sidelines during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium. (Tim Heitman-Imagn Images)
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There are two weeks left on McCarthy’s current contract, and if Dallas finishes well against two likely NFC East playoff teams — the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders — he may continue to lead “America’s Team” in the future.
As they say, end the year on a high note. McCarthy has his guys playing accordingly.
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