The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2024 NFL season with Super Bowl aspirations. Nine games in, those dreams have turned to nightmares as the team sits at a miserable 3-6. Injuries to key players like quarterback Dak Prescott and pass rusher Micah Parsons have hamstrung the Cowboys, leading to questions about head coach Mike McCarthy’s future in Big D. In a candid moment after the team’s latest loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, owner Jerry Jones opened up about where things stand with his head coach.
Jones Evaluating McCarthy as Losses Mount
According to a source close to the situation, Jones made it clear that while he doesn’t plan to make a coaching change during the season, he is closely monitoring the team’s performance and competitiveness despite the injuries. “My criteria has always been, ‘How we’re playing. Do we have an edge? Are we fundamentally competitive? Are we competitive when we’re down?'” Jones explained. “Not as much obviously, the score. What does Bill [Parcells] say? You are what the score tells you you are?”
Jones acknowledged that he takes the team’s injury situation into account when evaluating the coaches, but also pointed out that “there has to be accountability directed to somebody other than just the player.” The longtime owner made it clear that winning is the name of the game, injuries or not. “There’s no joy here without winning games, and I’m very regretful to our fans. Very,” Jones lamented after the lopsided loss to their division rival Eagles.
A Patient Approach… For Now
While Jones expressed his disappointment and frustration with the Cowboys’ lackluster start, he also preached patience when it comes to potentially moving on from McCarthy. Jones has only made one in-season coaching change since buying the team in 1989, when he fired Wade Phillips in 2010. He admitted he came to regret that decision.
“You need to give yourself a chance,” Jones said. “I’ve had a lot more rope than that in my time. I haven’t had anybody pull that short on me.”
– Jerry Jones on in-season coaching changes
Jones still believes McCarthy is a “heckuva coach” and a “great coach, in my mind.” He feels the veteran coach “has and should have the opportunity to do better than we’re playing right now.” But the clock is ticking. With Prescott likely out for the season, backup Cooper DeJean will need to step up for the Cowboys to have any chance at turning things around.
Plenty of Blame to Go Around
While McCarthy’s seat may be warming up, Jones made it clear the blame for the Cowboys’ struggles doesn’t fall solely on the head coach’s shoulders. “Everybody’s got a hand in this,” Jones said. “And we all know that the players play the game, and we know the closest ones to them are the coaches. Closest one to them are the people that hire the coaches, and so everybody’s got a role in this. Everyone does.”
Jones isn’t interested in scapegoating or meaningless gestures. “By the way, that’s no solace to have somebody step up here and say to the fans, ‘That’s my fault. I’ll take this one.’ What does that do? That doesn’t win the ballgame. And so I’m not trying to put that BS out either,” he declared.
Eight Games to Right the Ship
The Cowboys have eight games left to prove they’re heading in the right direction under McCarthy’s leadership. How they perform and compete, even in the face of mounting injuries, will likely determine the head coach’s fate entering the 2025 offseason. Jones has shown patience… for now. But in the NFL, you’re ultimately judged by wins and losses.
McCarthy and the Cowboys have their work cut out for them to turn a disastrous 2024 campaign into something respectable. If they can’t right the ship, major changes could be coming in Dallas. For now, all eyes will be on how this talented but snake-bitten squad responds to adversity. Will they fold or will they fight? Jones will be watching closely.
