When you win, everything feels great when you go back to the locker room after the game.
But, l Dallas Cowboys For head coach Mike McCarthy, every win to end the regular season could mean a contract extension. And a warm embrace with owner Jerry Jones has football fans wondering if this is on the horizon.
McCarthy and Jones were seen hugging each other after the Cowboys' win over… Tampa Bay Buccaneers26-24, on “Sunday Night Football.”
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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones answers questions with new coach Mike McCarthy during a news conference at the Ford Center at the Star. (Matthew Emmons – USA Today Sports)
There were big smiles as they hugged, but Jones also seemed to get serious when speaking with McCarthy, even though the microphones couldn't pick up what he was saying. From the looks of things, this was one of those good, serious conversations as the Cowboys moved to 7-8 on the year.
Now, the reality of this season is the Cowboys being eliminated from playoff contention, something neither Jones nor anyone in the organization expects to see by the end of Week 17.
However, McCarthy has rejuvenated what was once a team deflated to 3-7 after losing to Houston Texas On November 18.
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Dallas has won four of its last five games without quarterback Dak Prescott, whose hamstring injury against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 3 required surgery to repair, prematurely ending his 2024 campaign.
Jones has liked what he's seen from his owner's box in recent weeks.
“These guys came out and played like they were fighting in the championship game to go to the Super Bowl,” Jones said after the win, per Yahoo Sports. “I can't tell you how proud I am of them and the coaching staff. This really shows me something.”
Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy watches play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, December 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
While with the media, McCarthy talked about the locker room he was just in, and how he feels his group is still playing like it's the last game of the season, even if the playoffs aren't in the picture.
“I think it shows you who they are,” McCarthy explained. “I think everyone says the coach always talks well about the locker room – well, that's what I'm talking about. When I talk about 'It's a great locker room', that's the definition of it. This is what a great locker room looks like.”
It was quite the turnaround for McCarthy, who seemed to be almost out the door as the Cowboys continued to inch closer to a top pick rather than a playoff spot. But despite the 2024 misfortune, McCarthy has gotten the stamp of approval from Prescott and others regarding a contract extension.
Jones himself even commented on McCarthy's contract situation recently, saying around Thanksgiving that he didn't feel his extension would be “crazy at all.” After all, McCarthy went 12-5 in each of the last three seasons before this one, which could still be a year above .500.
Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy walks to the bench during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium. (Photos by Tim Hittman-Imagine)
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There are two more weeks left on McCarthy's current deal, and if Dallas finishes strong against the two potential NFC East playoff teams – the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders – perhaps he will continue to lead the 'American Team' into the future.
As the saying goes, end the year on a high note. McCarthy has his “boys playing accordingly.”
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