Mike McCarthy job security: NFL insider reveals Cowboys HC's status, Jones family attitude

With the Dallas Cowboys officially eliminated from the playoffs, the franchise’s biggest story immediately became the head coach. Mike McCarthy is not under contract for the 2025 season and will coach the final two games without an extension. Dallas will have a massive decision to make on whether or not McCarthy gets a fresh deal.

NFL insider Albert Breer revealed the latest on the situation after Thursday Night Football, saying nothing has been decided. However, Jerry and Stephen Jones do like how the Cowboys have played in the latter half of the season, picking up a few wins. Last Sunday especially, beating Tampa Bay despite having nothing to gain.

“I know a lot of people have speculated on Mike McCarthy’s job status,” Breer said. “No decision has been made by the Cowboys yet on what they’re going to do after the year. Of course, McCarthy’s contract is up. But I can say the Joneses are very impressed with the effort that McCarthy’s team has put forth for its coach the last couple weeks, and in particular last week against the Buccaneers after they were eliminated.”

Jerry Jones himself has publicly spoken highly of the job McCarthy has done down the stretch.

Of course, the goal for everyone in Dallas was to make the playoffs and compete for a Super Bowl. Those obviously fell short due to a slow start out of the gate. Injuries certainly have not helped — although, wins have piled up with players out.

Jones knows nobody on the team is going to quit, though. He believes it’s a direct relation to how McCarthy is running things.

“Just so we’re clear, all I can say is what good of a job he’s doing,” Jones said Sunday night. “I don’t have thoughts that I would share as to anything about what we do with our days after we’re through playing this year. I don’t have anything I would share about that.”

Two NFC East rivals remain for Dallas, beginning with the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Washington will then come to town for the regular season finale, potentially having playoff implications on the line.

Just a few weeks ago, the assumption was that the Commanders would be McCarthy’s final game in charge. However, maybe the Joneses are coming around to the idea of bringing him back.