When you win, everything feels great when you go back to the locker room after the game.
But for Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, any win at the end of the regular season could mean a contract extension. And a warm hug with owner Jerry Jones has football fans wondering if that’s in the cards.
McCarthy and Jones were seen sharing a big hug after the Cowboys defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-24 on “Sunday Night Football.”
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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones answers 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 appeared to get serious as he spoke to McCarthy, although the microphones couldn’t pick up what he said. From the looks of it, it was one of those good, serious conversations as the Cowboys got to 7-8 on the year.
The reality of this season now is that the Cowboys are eliminated from the playoffs, something neither Jones nor anyone in the organization expects to happen by the end of Week 17.
However, McCarthy has revitalized the team that was once depressed after losing to the 7-3 Houston Texans on Nov. 18.
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Dallas has won four of its last five games while without franchise quarterback Dak Prescott, whose hamstring injury Nov. 3 against the Atlanta Falcons required surgery and ended his 2024 season early.
Jones was thrilled with what he saw in his owner’s box over the past few weeks.
“These guys came out and played like they were in the championship game fighting to get to the Super Bowl,” Jones said after the win, according to Yahoo Sports. “I can’t say 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 appearance, McCarthy spoke about the locker room he was in and how he feels like his group is still playing like it’s the last game of the season, even if there are no playoffs on the horizon.
“I just think it shows who they are,” McCarthy explained. “I think everyone says the coach is always raving about the dressing room – well that’s what I’m talking about. When I say, ‘It’s a great locker room,’ that’s the definition of it. This is it. This is what a great locker room looks like.”
Quite a turnaround for McCarthy, who seemed all but out as the Cowboys inched closer to a top draft pick rather than a playoff spot. But despite the difficulties of 2024, McCarthy has received approval from Prescott and others for a contract extension.
Jones himself even recently commented on McCarthy’s contract status, saying just before Thanksgiving that he felt a contract extension was “not crazy at all.” After all, McCarthy went 12-5 in each of the last three seasons prior to this one, which could still be a year over .500.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy stands on the sidelines during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium. (Tim Heitman-Imagn Images)
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McCarthy has two weeks left on his current contract, and if Dallas finishes strong against the NFC East’s two likely playoff teams – the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders – he may continue to lead “America’s Team.”
As the saying goes, end the year on a good note. McCarthy lets his boys play accordingly.
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