A Startling Note from Mike McCarthy to Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys

In a surprising twist of fate, Mike McCarthy, who once held the reins as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, sent an unexpected and poignant message to Jerry Jones and the entire Cowboys organization. McCarthy, now with the New Orleans Saints, crafted a note that would send ripples through the NFL world, stirring up both admiration and speculation in equal measure.

McCarthy’s departure from Dallas was a bitter pill for many to swallow. When he was hired in 2020 to lead a team filled with talented players, the expectation was that McCarthy would be the one to finally break the Cowboys’ playoff drought and return the franchise to its former glory. However, things didn’t go according to plan. His tenure was plagued by inconsistent performances, mounting pressure, and what some considered a lack of necessary adjustments. In the end, the Cowboys parted ways with McCarthy in the offseason, sparking a flurry of rumors about the future direction of the team and McCarthy’s career.

Flash forward to McCarthy’s new position as head coach of the New Orleans Saints. While many were initially surprised by the move, it seemed like a fresh start for a man who was trying to rebuild his reputation. As McCarthy took the helm of the Saints, he quickly became known for his hard-nosed coaching style and a renewed commitment to player development. But even as he found his footing in New Orleans, one thing remained clear: McCarthy had unfinished business with the Dallas Cowboys.

The Context of the Note

As the Saints wrapped up another successful season and McCarthy’s reputation continued to grow, he reflected on his time with the Cowboys. It was a period that had tested his resolve, challenged his leadership, and taught him lessons he wouldn’t soon forget. As he looked back, he knew one thing was certain: the relationship between himself and Jerry Jones had always been a complex one.

Jerry Jones, the ever-charismatic and ambitious owner of the Cowboys, had always seen himself as a hands-on figure in the team’s operations. His influence within the organization had always been unquestioned, even in the face of a revolving door of coaching changes and playoff disappointments. McCarthy’s time in Dallas, however, had been marked by an uncomfortable tension between him and Jones, as the two men struggled to align their visions for the team.

Despite the challenges, McCarthy’s admiration for Jones remained intact. Jones was a master at navigating the complex world of NFL politics, and his passion for the Cowboys was unquestionable. McCarthy knew that Jones had taken risks in hiring him, and while things hadn’t gone as planned, McCarthy understood that much of the blame fell on his shoulders. It was clear that he needed to express his thoughts—both his regrets and his gratitude—to Jones in a way that would be unexpected but also deeply personal.

Thus, the note was born.

The Startling Content of the Note

The note itself was written in a moment of quiet reflection, as McCarthy sat in his office in New Orleans. It wasn’t a formal letter, nor was it some impersonal message delivered through an intermediary. No, this note was handwritten, heartfelt, and direct. It contained words that McCarthy had carried with him for years, but had never found the courage to speak aloud.

The message began with a simple greeting: “Dear Jerry.”

From there, McCarthy opened up, acknowledging the challenges that had defined their working relationship. He addressed the struggles that plagued the Cowboys during his tenure, admitting that both he and the organization had faltered at times. He spoke frankly about how hard it had been to live up to the expectations that were placed on him, especially considering the legacy of previous Cowboys coaches. But he also took responsibility for the missed opportunities, the moments where his decisions didn’t yield the results they all hoped for.

However, it was what McCarthy wrote next that left a lasting impression. He confessed to Jones that, despite the difficult times, he had learned valuable lessons during his time in Dallas. Lessons that had shaped him into a better coach, a more introspective leader, and a man who now knew what it took to guide a team to success.

“I was brought in to be the guy who turned things around. In some ways, I didn’t live up to that expectation. But what I learned is that the job is never as simple as it seems from the outside. It’s about more than schemes, more than X’s and O’s. It’s about people—individuals who are giving everything for a dream, a chance at greatness. And that’s something I will always cherish,” McCarthy wrote.

But what made the note even more startling was the sincerity in McCarthy’s words of gratitude. While it had been easy to focus on the challenges, he made sure to remind Jones of the good moments, the successes that they had achieved together. He recalled their late-night conversations, the way Jones had always pushed him to be better, and the unspoken respect they had developed for one another over time.

“You believed in me when others didn’t. And for that, Jerry, I’ll never be able to repay you,” McCarthy wrote.

Finally, McCarthy closed with a message that would leave Jerry Jones—along with the entire Cowboys organization—stunned. In his final lines, McCarthy offered something that many in the NFL would have considered impossible: a sense of closure, a message of peace.

“I hope, in some way, this helps heal the scars of our time together. I wish nothing but success for the Cowboys. I know the right coach will come along, and when they do, I’ll be rooting for them, just as I know you’ll be rooting for me here in New Orleans.”

The Aftermath of the Note

When Jerry Jones received the note, it sent shockwaves through the Cowboys’ front office. Initially, there was disbelief. The two men had never been known to openly communicate in such a personal way, especially after McCarthy’s departure. However, as Jones read the words carefully, he found himself moved by McCarthy’s honesty and humility. It wasn’t what he had expected from a man who had been at the helm during such a tumultuous time.

Jones, known for his business acumen, didn’t publicly address the note right away. He wasn’t one to display his emotions or admit vulnerability, but those who knew him could tell that McCarthy’s gesture had left an impression. In private, Jones expressed his appreciation for the note, acknowledging that it had provided a sense of closure for both parties.

As for McCarthy, his note became a symbol of his growth as a coach and as a man. The gesture was seen as an act of maturity, a sign that he had moved on from the past and was ready to face the future with renewed purpose. For the Saints, it was just another chapter in McCarthy’s journey, one that would ultimately define his legacy in New Orleans.

But for the Cowboys, the note served as a reminder of what could have been—an echo of a time when the promise of greatness seemed within reach, only to slip away due to missteps, miscalculations, and missed opportunities. It was a note that captured both the hopes and the heartache of a chapter that would never be forgotten.