The Dallas Cowboys are retaining coach Mike McCarthy for the 2024 season, but there is not a substantial show of confidence in his future beyond that.
The Cowboys do not intend to make any modifications to McCarthy’s contract as he approaches the final year of his deal. This decision, as reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN, stems from owner Jerry Jones’ belief that the heightened challenge of being in the final year of a contract can elicit optimal performance from individuals.
There was speculation that the Cowboys might consider adding an additional year to McCarthy’s contract to avoid the perception of him being a lame duck. Jerry Jones has a precedent for such actions, as former coach Jason Garrett faced a similar situation twice. The first time, Garrett achieved a 12-4 record in 2014, but the second time, with an 8-8 outcome, he was not retained.
Adding an extra year to the contract was unlikely to alter the perception of McCarthy. The coach’s job was ultimately saved by his regular-season record with the Cowboys. However, it is reasonable to assume that Jones will expect to see playoff progress in 2024 for any potential extension of McCarthy’s contract.
