The Dallas Cowboys’ decision to part ways with head coach Mike McCarthy has united both sides of the discussion, but most would agree that the way they reached this conclusion was unnecessary. The questions surrounding McCarthy’s future began swirling in October after a 47-9 home loss to the Detroit Lions, followed by a franchise quarterback ruled out for the season.
Owner Jerry Jones had previously stated on his radio show that the “hay is in the barn” when it comes to McCarthy, indicating that all necessary data points were already available. However, the Cowboys waited eight days after their last game before announcing the decision, despite Chicago Bears requesting permission to interview McCarthy.
The optics are terrible for the Cowboys, who seemed to dangle McCarthy’s departure for over a week while other teams continued conducting coaching interviews. This move could potentially cost them a candidate, such as Lions coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn.
McCarthy is likely to find work with another team, but his prospects may have been enhanced by the Bears’ interest in him. The real loser in this situation is the Cowboys, who could have benefited from having open conversations with top candidates earlier.
In hindsight, the way Jones handled McCarthy’s departure raises questions about the Cowboys’ operations and how they will be perceived by future candidates. Although it’s unlikely to affect Jerry Jones’ reputation significantly, the blunder might lead to a sour taste in the minds of potential coaches.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6059433/2025/01/13/cowboys-mike-mccarthy-jerry-jones-parting-ways