In a post-game interview following the Dallas Cowboys’ devastating loss to the Detroit Lions, team owner Jerry Jones made it clear that head coach Mike McCarthy’s job is safe for now. Despite the humiliating defeat, Jones affirmed, “that will not be happening.”
However, the manner in which the Cowboys arrived at this point cannot be ignored. The team is currently limping into their bye week after suffering a crushing 47-9 loss. This defeat marked the worst in terms of margin of victory at AT&T Stadium during Jones’ tenure as owner.
Jones’s steadfast support for McCarthy is not surprising given the circumstances. McCarthy is in the final year of his contract, and the possibility of his job security being in question was inevitable. The Cowboys now find themselves in a position of needing to do some serious introspection.
Should the Cowboys eventually decide to part ways with McCarthy, their options for an interim head coach are limited. Special teams coordinator John Fassel has previous experience as an interim head coach with the Los Angeles Rams. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer also has head coaching experience, but this is his first season with the Cowboys.
As the season progresses and if the team’s performance does not improve, the question of McCarthy’s future will continue to linger. Whether or not Jones’s stance on the matter changes remains to be seen. The Cowboys have a tough road ahead as they attempt to navigate through this period of uncertainty.
