Mike McCarthy pressed on if he wants to return as Cowboys coach in 2025

Dallas Cowboys (7-9) head coach Mike McCarthy is out of a contract when the 2024 season comes to a close, and it remains undetermined if he will return to “America’s Team” in 2025.

The Cowboys can and ultimately will decide if they want McCarthy back in the first place. McCarthy, however, has to want Dallas in return; Does he? The 61-year-old addressed that very question on Monday following Sunday’s 41-7 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles (13-3).

“I need to make sure I’m doing exactly what I’m asking everybody else to do, we need to finish the race… we’ll have time to talk about that next week,” McCarthy said, via Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

The Cowboys have one game left on the schedule, a home contest against the Washington Commanders (11-5) this coming Sunday. Dallas is already eliminated from playoff contention in a season which team owner Jerry Jones said they were “all-in.” But amid inconsistent play and a growing list of injuries to key players, Dallas finds itself on the outside looking in of the postseason for the first time since McCarthy’s first season at the helm in 2020. He has since led the Cowboys to three playoff appearances and two NFC East division titles.

Cowboys EVP addresses Mike McCarthy’s future

McCarthy has continued to earn praise from both Jones and quarterback Dak Prescott, who previously underwent season-ending hamstring surgery. The latter advocated for McCarthy to return under a new contract.

“I believe in him wholeheartedly,” Prescott told Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports earlier this month. “I don’t want to necessarily get into the nuts and the screws of it all obviously. But I think he definitely deserves a chance — another contract and a chance to coach this team amongst more influence. ‘On his terms’ may be a good way to say it. But I wholeheartedly believe in him.”

Even in a losing season, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones believes McCarthy has done a “great job” considering the challenges.

“I think Mike’s done a great job considering the challenges that we’ve had, and Mike Zimmer the same way, it’s been a new group out there…” Jones said Monday on 105.3 The Fan, via the team’s official website. “I think Mike’s done a good job of getting the guys prepared.”

As for a final decision on McCarthy’s future, the time is near.

“We’ll address all this after the Commanders game.” Jones said.