Mike McCarthy’s contract expires one week from Tuesday but he isn’t looking to go on a free-agent tour.
McCarthy said Sunday that he wants to return to the Dallas Cowboys in 2025 for a sixth season as head coach.
Owner Jerry Jones didn’t commit to retaining McCarthy following the season-ending 23-19 loss to the Washington Commanders that left the Cowboys with a 7-10 record, including a shaky 2-7 home mark.
“I’ve had coaches under contract that I thought we might consider a change and they were thinking maybe a change under contract,” Jones said. “So this business of under or out of contract is not an influencer with me at all.”
There has been recent speculation that McCarthy might be interested in shopping his services once his deal runs out. But McCarthy made it clear that he prefers to stay with the Cowboys.
“Absolutely. I have a lot invested here. And the Cowboys have a lot invested in me,” McCarthy said. “And then there’s a personal side to all these decisions. They all point the right direction. I think anytime you invest your time, energy, your belief, the connection you have, the relationships that are in place here, the understanding of what the organization can do and is willing to do, those are all positive attributes that you take into account.
“But, you know, absolutely, I’m a builder. I believe in building programs. I believe in developing young players. So, at the end of day, it is about winning, and you have to have those components in place to get this thing where it needs to be. I think we have a very good foundation here.”
McCarthy has led Dallas to the playoffs in three of his five seasons, guiding the team to a 12-5 record on each occasion. Those sparkling campaigns came with a healthy Dak Prescott as the quarterback.
This season marked the second time Prescott sustained a season-ending injury. Both campaigns resulted in losing seasons. McCarthy is 49-35 in the regular season with Dallas.
Jones didn’t have a timeline per making a decision on McCarthy but is very much aware that Jan. 14 is the final day that Dallas has exclusive negotiating rights.
Jones also said he would likely give McCarthy permission to talk to other teams.
“Mike’s one of the best coaches that I think there is,” Jones said. “He was made the coach here because I thought that, and he’s done absolutely nothing to diminish my opinion of him as a coach.”
Dallas has gone 29 seasons without reaching the Super Bowl. McCarthy won one in the 2010 season with the Green Bay Packers.