Mike McCarthy’s curious move fuels speculation on Cowboys future

It was an emotional season finale for Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy.

Moments after Dallas concluded its regular season with a 23-19 loss to Washington at home, the team’s fifth-year coach shared a few heartfelt moments with staffers in the team’s locker room as speculation builds as to whether owner Jerry Jones will retain him.

The scene of McCarthy, 61, embracing his assistants upon entering the locker room caught those who cover the team by surprise, with the Dallas Morning News reporting, “Haven’t seen that before.”

Hired by the Cowboys in 2020, McCarthy coached the team to three playoff appearances in the past five seasons.

Dallas fell far short of expectations this year as losses and injuries piled up, with rumors swirling about McCarthy’s future with the franchise on a near-weekly basis.

With the book now closed on a challenging 2024 season, McCarthy is focused on what’s ahead and what he hopes is a return to Dallas.

“I have a lot of confidence in myself as a head coach,” McCarthy said, according to The Athletic. “… I’m definitely in position with Jerry to move the program forward. There’s no question about that in mind.”

McCarthy, who owns a 49-35 record in Dallas, is expected to meet with Jones, 82, in the “near future.”

Should both parties decide to go their separate ways, ESPN reported earlier this month that McCarthy “could set his sights on Chicago,” which fired head coach Matt Eberflus in late November.

There are currently five coaching vacancies following Sunday’s conclusion of the 2024 regular season.

The Patriots fired first-year coach Jerod Mayo shortly after Sunday’s 23-16 win over the Bills.

The Jaguars let go of Doug Pederson on Monday morning after three seasons.

The Bears, Saints and Jets all fired their coaches midseason.