The Dallas Cowboys are in a state of flux after another disappointing playoff exit. Mike McCarthy’s contract was up in the air after their shocking loss to the Green Bay Packers, and many thought he’d be shown the door.
To everyone’s surprise, team owner Jerry Jones kept him on for one more year. However, there seems to be a huge caveat attached to his extended tenure.
It’s make or break for McCarthy’s Cowboys
According to the Mirror’s Andrew Gamble, Jones opted out of offering McCarthy an extension and will look to allow him to finish his contract in Arlington.
It may seem strange for some disgruntled Cowboys fans that America’s Team gave a coach that allowed early playoff exits a final lifeline. However, his performance as the team’s head coach keeps himself afloat in spite of his subpar postseason record in Dallas.
McCarthy has an impressive 62-.7% win percentage as Dallas head coach, the best in franchise history. Moreover, the Cowboys’ 12-5 record over the past three seasons was a feat last achieved by the Cowboys in the nineties under Barry Switzer and Jim Johnson.
Moreover, McCarthy seems determined to end his unfortunate playoff streak. He made a big promise ahead of the 2024 season:
“We know how to win. We know how to train to win. We have the right people. But we have not crossed the threshold of winning playoff games. It’s extremely disappointing to be sitting here talking about. But I know how to win. We will get over that threshold. I have total confidence in that, and that’s what I’m standing here today.
McCarthy went on: “I came here to win a championship. I didn’t come here to get another contract or anything other than that. I came to Dallas to win a world championship.”
Positions McCarthy must address in the offseason
Part of McCarthy’s to-do list in his final year in Arlington is addressing weak points in their offense. Inside the Star pointed to three sore spots in the Dallas roster that he must address this offseason.
The biggest gap in their attack is their lack of a run game. They haven’t found the perfect replacement for Ezekiel Elliot and will likely head to the draft or the trade market to supplement their needs.
While the Cowboys are one of the most prolific passing offenses in the league, CeeDee Lamb cannot do the heavy lifting on his own. Fans should expect their team to look for another wideout to line up alongside him.
Finally, Dak Prescott was sacked 39 times throughout the regular season, the seventh-most in the league. More firepower should be added to the offensive line to give Prescott enough time to make his reads.