Jerry Jones gives 'high grades' to Mike McCarthy, Mike Zimmer for job during 2024 Cowboys season

Amid all the drama and disappointment surrounding the Dallas Cowboys in 2024, Jerry Jones is pleased with the job the coaching staff has done over the course of their 6-8 season.

During an appearance on 105.3 The FAN on Tuesday, Jones was blunt in his assessment of head coach Mike McCarthy and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer: “I give them both high grades this year,” the Cowboys owner said, via Jon Machota of The Athletic.

Perhaps Jones is simply unwilling to speak ill of McCarthy at the moment, who isn’t under contract beyond this season at the moment. While it’s admirable he’s kept the team fighting for wins, Dallas’ record simply isn’t good enough, especially considering the amount of money they’ve doled out for their top players.

Change seems to be in the works for the franchise after this season comes to a close. Still, Jones has shocked the NFL world before. Maybe he’ll change his tune and extend McCarthy. He could be laying the groundwork for it with his comments.

No matter the case, the Cowboys must return to competing for the NFC East and more in 2025, and that’ll be Jones’ mission this offseason. Dallas legend Troy Aikman has an idea of how they could do it, as he made the case for Deion Sanders to replace McCarthy while speaking with TMZ Sports.

“I could see it,” Aikman said. “First of all, if Deion were to get hired whether it’s in Dallas or anywhere in the NFL — he gets hired because he’s a good football coach first and foremost. But secondly, I do know that Jerry [Jones] is a world class marketer. Deion obviously is not far behind that, and I think if you were to put the two together it would be quite interesting. I think there’s some compelling reasons to why Jerry might have an interest.

“Deion’s done a great job there in Boulder, and I think when he says, ‘Hey, I’ve put the kickstand down,’ that’s simply alerting everyone that if you want him, you’re gonna have to pay for him, which is not a surprise either. I do think that Deion could be enticed especially with his son Shedeur Sanders moving on and going to the NFL. … They’re not welded to the ground [Sanders’ kickstand in Boulder], you can raise them.” 

Alas, it’ll be fascinating to see whether Jerry Jones’ words on Mike McCarthy and Mike Zimmer ring hollow at the end of the season, or if they’re the beginning of a campaign to keep the current Cowboys staff in tact. Whoever’s coaching Dallas in 2025 will have a ton of pressure on them though, even more than usual.