DALLAS — As the final whistle blew on the final game of a disappointing season, focus turned to the Cowboys’ head coach Mike McCarthy, whose contract is set to expire Jan 14. 

The high-stakes deadline was set after last year’s home playoff failure against the Packers, after which Jones decided not to extend McCarthy’s contract, according to WFAA Cowboys Insider Ed Werder. The decision put the former Super Bowl-winning coach in a uncertain position. Since then, McCarthy has coached through a season filled with costly injuries and disappointing performances with the uncertainty of an expiring contract. 

Soon, the Cowboys, and McCarthy’s, future will become clear. 

In the meantime, McCarthy on Monday was having a staff meeting and player meetings were also scheduled to begin Monday morning, Werder reported.

Over the weekend, NFL Insiders peered into their crystal balls to offer thoughts on what the decision process might look like for GM and owner Jerry Jones. 

“I think in regular life, away from coaching, you have most of us that operate without a guaranteed contract for next year,’’ Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said last week during his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan. “That, to me, I’ve seen people do better as well when they don’t have a contract.”

McCarthy and Jones have a week full of meetings ahead of them, Weder said ahead of kickoff Sunday. Both men will have to consider several questions if Jones chooses to extend, including the length of commitment and mandated staff changes, Werder said. 

McCarthy, and Jones, will also have to consider if they have any better options, Werder added. 

NFL Insider Adam Schefter said Sunday “It is more likely that (McCarthy) is safe than out.” Jones appears to be in favor of renewing McCarthy’s contract, but not everyone in the organization agrees, Schefter said. If McCarthy’s contract is allowed to expire, he could have the opportunity to interview with teams like the New Orleans Saints, who may be interested in hiring him, Schefter added. 

McCarthy, who ended the season 7-10, was focused on his more immediate future when WFAA previously asked him about his future with the team. 

“I need to make sure I’m doing exactly what I’m asking everyone else to do. We need to finish the race,” McCarthy said when asked if he’d like to remain in Dallas. “It’s been a challenging year, based on our contract situation for coaches. It’s stating the obvious, but we’ll have time to talk about that next week.”

Today marks next week, starting a 7-day countdown before McCarthy can begin interviewing with other teams. 

Article by WFAA