Mike McCarthy’s Future with the Dallas Cowboys: A Look Ahead to 2025

As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for another pivotal season, one question looms large: What will the future hold for Mike McCarthy, the team’s head coach, after the 2024 season? Although McCarthy’s tenure has been marked by significant accomplishments, it’s clear that the stakes have never been higher for the 60-year-old coach. With a contract extension signed in 2020, McCarthy’s current deal runs through the 2024 season, leaving the 2025 campaign open for discussion. For the Cowboys, 2025 could be a crossroads year—one that will demand both McCarthy’s decision to return and the Cowboys’ commitment to his vision. Here’s what McCarthy had to say about his future and the situation as it stands.

The Road to 2025: Mike McCarthy’s Career with the Cowboys

Mike McCarthy was hired as the 10th head coach in Dallas Cowboys history in January 2020, after a long, often frustrating era with Jason Garrett. McCarthy, a former Super Bowl-winning coach with the Green Bay Packers, brought a wealth of experience, a track record of success, and a new sense of discipline and structure to the franchise. His arrival was welcomed with optimism, as fans and players alike hoped that McCarthy would be the missing piece for a team that had long underachieved in the postseason.

In his first season with the Cowboys (2020), McCarthy faced adversity from the start. The COVID-19 pandemic meant limited practice time and team bonding, and the Cowboys’ season was further disrupted by an injury to starting quarterback Dak Prescott. Despite these obstacles, McCarthy managed to keep the Cowboys in the playoff hunt for most of the year, ultimately falling short of a postseason berth with a 6-10 record. However, it was clear that McCarthy had a plan, and that plan would slowly come to fruition in the seasons that followed.

The 2021 season marked a turning point for McCarthy and the Cowboys. With Dak Prescott healthy and the offense firing on all cylinders, the Cowboys secured a division title, finishing the season with a 12-5 record. However, their playoff run ended in a disappointing loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card round, a defeat that would define McCarthy’s future trajectory. Many pointed to missed opportunities, questionable coaching decisions, and a lack of adjustments as reasons for the Cowboys’ premature exit.

Still, McCarthy’s leadership and the growth of the team continued to be a topic of conversation heading into the 2022 season. With a strong defense, an improved offense, and a veteran coaching staff, expectations were high for the Cowboys. They finished 2022 with a 12-5 record once again, and while they did manage to secure a win in the Wild Card round, they fell short of the NFC Championship after a loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles. McCarthy’s tenure in Dallas seemed to be defined by consistently being good—but not good enough.

A Crucial 2024 Season

Heading into 2024, McCarthy faces arguably the most critical year of his tenure. The pressure has mounted, with the Cowboys consistently falling short of Super Bowl contention despite boasting a roster filled with talent. McCarthy’s commitment to the offensive side of the ball, his handling of quarterback Dak Prescott, and his ability to make in-game adjustments have been key talking points for analysts and fans alike.

McCarthy has made some significant changes in recent seasons, including bringing in new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and implementing a more balanced offensive game plan. In 2023, he took a step back from calling plays to focus more on being the overall head coach, delegating the play-calling duties to Schottenheimer. The decision signaled a shift in McCarthy’s approach, recognizing that the team’s success was about more than just his ability to manage the offense. However, many would argue that the jury is still out on whether McCarthy’s vision for the Cowboys is one that will take them to the promised land.

While McCarthy’s 2023 season saw the Cowboys finish with a 13-4 record, a playoff victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and a hard-fought loss to the 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round, the focus was once again on the team’s inability to go the distance. It’s no secret that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the front office are looking for a coach who can deliver a Super Bowl championship—something McCarthy has not been able to do since his time in Green Bay.

Given the franchise’s lofty expectations, it’s clear that McCarthy’s contract situation will play a significant role in determining whether he remains with the team beyond 2024. His current contract runs through the 2024 season, but the real question is whether both McCarthy and the Cowboys will mutually agree to continue the partnership into 2025 and beyond.

McCarthy’s Comments on His Future

As the 2024 season draws closer, McCarthy has been open about his goals for the Cowboys and his commitment to the team. In interviews, he has frequently discussed his desire to build a championship-caliber team and his belief in the roster’s potential. However, when asked about his future beyond 2024, McCarthy has been less definitive, acknowledging that the decision ultimately rests with both him and the Cowboys’ front office.

“I’ve always believed in having mutual agreements between the coach and the team. That’s the foundation of any successful partnership,” McCarthy said during a recent press conference. “We’re focused on this season. My goal is simple: to help this team win the Super Bowl. But, yes, we’ll have those conversations after the season. I’m here to win, and if that means staying longer, I’m all in. If it’s time for a change, then we’ll move forward and do what’s best for the franchise.”

McCarthy’s comments reflect the pragmatic approach he’s always taken with his coaching career. He understands that coaching in the NFL is a results-driven business, and that the Cowboys’ success—or lack thereof—will ultimately dictate his future. He has also been candid about the need for collaboration with Jones and the front office. “Jerry and I have had a great relationship. He’s always been supportive of me and my staff. But at the end of the day, it’s about results,” McCarthy noted. “We all want the same thing: a championship. It’s just a matter of whether that happens.”

The Decision to Return: McCarthy and Jerry Jones

While McCarthy’s remarks indicate a sense of open communication, the decision to return for the 2025 season will ultimately be a joint one between him and Jerry Jones. The Cowboys’ owner and general manager is known for being hands-on in football operations, and his commitment to winning a Super Bowl has been unwavering. Jones has made it clear in the past that he’s not afraid to make tough decisions when it comes to leadership, and he has had a long history of changing coaches when the results haven’t aligned with his vision.

However, McCarthy’s situation is a bit more complex. Since taking over the Cowboys, McCarthy has overseen a significant cultural shift in the organization. He has worked hard to build relationships with his players, establish a more disciplined and focused environment, and improve the team’s overall performance. The Cowboys have become more competitive, but the elusive Super Bowl has remained out of reach. Should McCarthy’s Cowboys continue to perform well in 2024 but fall short of a championship, it will likely come down to whether Jones believes McCarthy is the one to get them over the hump.

In the event McCarthy decides to walk away from the Cowboys, whether for personal reasons or due to mutual agreement, there are likely to be multiple suitors for his services. A coach with his resume—particularly his Super Bowl victory and consistent playoff appearances—is always in high demand, and McCarthy would likely have his pick of opportunities should he choose to leave Dallas.

What Happens Next?

With the 2024 season approaching, McCarthy and the Cowboys are locked into a year of high expectations. If the Cowboys fall short once again, it could mark the end of McCarthy’s tenure. If McCarthy can deliver the championship that Jones and the fans have been craving, the Cowboys could enter a new era of sustained success with McCarthy at the helm for the long term.

For McCarthy, the focus remains on building a championship team, and his eyes are firmly set on 2024. However, both he and the Cowboys will have to make key decisions after the season, and all signs point to a pivotal year in McCarthy’s tenure with the team. His future in Dallas will ultimately come down to the results of the season—and whether both sides are willing to continue the journey together.