Mike McCarthy's future as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys looks bleak.
Sunday's 48-32 loss to the Packers in the wild-card game at AT&T Stadium may have been the nail in the coffin for the Cowboys' head coach.
“Throughout this season, sources said Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy always believed he would be judged on how Dallas' final game of the season went.” ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. In the post of X.
If that's the case, McCarthy may not be in Dallas for long.
The loss, which was a bigger mismatch than the final score indicated, ended the Cowboys' home winning streak at 16 and marked the first time Dallas had allowed more than 40 points in a playoff game.
McCarthy, who has one year left on his contract, said he was “hurt and disappointed” after the loss.
“I think the biggest thing is we're disappointed.” mccarthy said. “The whole team in the locker room is feeling the pain. We haven't thought about the outcome of this game.
“I don't think anyone expected this to happen. We just couldn't achieve it at any stage.”
The Cowboys became the first team in NFL history to win 12 games in three consecutive seasons without winning a conference championship.
McCarthy went 1-3 in the playoffs in those three seasons.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Monday that “many league officials are taking high alert for the job, believing it could jeopardize McCarthy's status after losing in the playoffs.”
It was Dallas' 13th straight trip to the playoffs without winning a conference championship.
The Packers circled the Cowboys and built a 27-7 lead by halftime.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott completed 41 of 60 for 403 yards and three touchdowns, most of it in garbage time.
It was Prescott's second straight playoff game in which he recorded multiple interceptions.
He is now 2-5 in his career.
Prescott's future in Dallas may be in jeopardy after he said in the postgame press conference that “tonight was a disaster.”
“Honestly, I was shocked,” Prescott said, adding that he was “stunned” by the way the Cowboys' season ended.
He also gave credit to McCarthy for this season's success, leading the NFL in passing touchdowns with 36 in the regular season.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was also in disbelief after Dallas' collapse.
“I fell to the floor.” He said. “…This is beyond my understanding.”
Jones said he hasn't “thought for one second” about McCarthy's future and doesn't know when the two will meet.
Asked how much weight this loss would have on his decision, Jones said, “I cherish today a lot.” “We are committed to everything we have done.”
Prescott has one season left on his four-year, $160 million contract.
The Cowboys are reportedly prioritizing signing Prescott to a contract extension.
Prescott had two interceptions, including a pick-six, on three possessions, increasing the Packers' lead from 7-0 to 27-0 at the half.
The Cowboys have not played in the NFC Championship Game since winning the Super Bowl in 1996.
Green Bay (10-8) will play the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round on Saturday.
