Mike McCarthy is always the center of attention.
That's been the case for Jerry Jones for most of his four seasons as head coach. dallas cowboys. Of course, Jones has done little to quell speculation about McCarthy's future over the years. McCarthy said he often brings it up himself and recently did it again. He will be tested after each playoff game.
Now, it was suddenly testing time on Sunday afternoon when the Cowboys suffered a shocking 48-32 loss at home to the Green Bay Packers.And it wasn't that close packers They took a 27-0 lead at the half. This is the first time a 2-seed has lost since the NFL changed to a seven-team playoff format in 2020.
McCarthy, who has one year left on his contract, has won 12 games in three consecutive regular seasons and is 1-3 in the playoffs as Dallas' coach. But this may be the last time. After winning the NFC East title in 2023, Dallas had high hopes of winning the Super Bowl for the first time in nearly 30 years. Jones considered this team to be the best in recent history.
So watching a 16-game home winning streak go down like a lower seeded game in the playoffs could be Jones' breaking point. Many coaches could be fired if they allow 48 points in the playoffs at home.
But Dallas' offense going out of whack, its defense suddenly sifting, and the team's sudden collapse on its once-dominant home field could spell the death sentence for McCarthy's tenure in Dallas. .
After the game, Jones told reporters he was “disappointed” and “devastated” by the worst loss he can remember. Still, he has yet to mention any changes. Still, that will be the focus of the NFL over the next few days, or until Jones drops his axe.
Add to that the fact that they obviously could get Jones' attention, the elephant in the room. Of course, that elephant wears six Super Bowl rings as a head coach.
Bill Belichick could be the next Bill Parcells after Jones.
Will that happen?
Well, the only chance is if Jones fires McCarthy, and it wouldn't be a shock if that happened soon.
Wherever Belichick relaxes on Sunday night, his first weekend as a free agent in 24 years, he will certainly be keeping an eye on Dallas' developments. Can you imagine what Belichick could do with Micah Parsons? So the chemistry between Belichick and the Cowboys is natural.
Sure, you can talk about Jones and Belichick clashing, but the truth is they're friendly and narrow-minded in their thinking: All that matters is winning the Super Bowl.
Jones is 81 years old. Belichick turns 72 in April. Both of you will find that there is relatively little room to work together to do something special. I'm sure they'll do just fine.
It all makes sense, especially after McCarthy's play on the field Sunday.
