Cowboys' Jones praises McCarthy, won't commit to future role - ESPN

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys' season came to an end with a 23-19 loss to the Washington Commanders Sunday, and now comes the challenging part.

Does owner and general manager Jerry Jones retain Mike McCarthy, whose contract expires Wednesday, or does he begin a search for his ninth head coach since he purchased the team in 1989?

For more than 40 minutes, Jones spoke to the media outside the locker room, speaking glowingly about McCarthy, but never fully committed to him for 2025 and beyond.

«I don't know that I am considering making a change is really what I'm trying to say,» Jones said.

McCarthy has posted a 49-35 regular-season record with the Cowboys, but he is 1-3 in the playoffs, has not advanced past the divisional round and suffered two of the more painful home postseason defeats in franchise history.

The Cowboys' Super Bowl drought is now at 29 seasons.

«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.»

McCarthy removed any doubt about his wishes. He wants to return to the Cowboys, despite a number of jobs that are currently open and others that could come open soon.

«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