The Dallas Cowboys and Mike McCarthy are setting the chessboard.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and McCarthy remain open to moving forward together, and the sides are expected to open talks Friday on a new contract to keep him in Dallas, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported, per sources informed of the situation.
The talks come after several days of discussions about the 2024 season and the future. McCarthy's contract expires Tuesday, giving Dallas an exclusive negotiating window before the coach becomes a true free agent.
Nearly all of the Cowboys assistant coaches are also due to have their contracts expire next week, providing some urgency for talks between Jones and McCarthy.
During the Cowboys' five-game losing streak in the middle of the season, which included humiliating home blowout losses to Detroit, Philadelphia and Houston, it seemed fait accompli that Dallas would move on from McCarthy after the season. However, a banged-up Cowboys squad battled down the stretch, winning four of their final seven games, with Jones speaking highly of the job McCarthy and his staff did given all the obstacles -- including losing Dak Prescott for the season.
Several Cowboys players backed McCarthy's return during and after the campaign, including Prescott and star pass rusher Micah Parsons.
The Cowboys' 7-10 record in 2024 followed three consecutive 12-5 finishes from 2021-23, marking the second season missing playoffs under McCarthy -- (also the first season with Dallas in 2020).
Entering the season, the big question in Big D was whether McCarthy could finally lead the Cowboys past their repeated playoff failures. The early-season collapse and third-place finish in the NFC East ensured that query wouldn't be answered this year. The talks between Jones and McCarthy will determine whether the coach will get another shot to wipe away those struggles.
If negotiations collapse and McCarthy becomes an actual coaching free agent, he would likely garner interest from several clubs with openings. The Chicago Bears already requested to interview the former Green Bay Packers head coach -- a request the Cowboys denied.
