Why Mike McCarthy is on the hot seat for the Cowboys' 2024 season

This story has been updated because an earlier version contained an inaccuracy.

When the Dallas Cowboys hired Mike McCarthy as the ninth coach in franchise history, they hoped he would lead them from perennial playoff hopeful to Super Bowl contender.

So far things haven't gone according to plan.

McCarthy was successful for most of his time in Dallas. The Cowboys have made the playoffs in three of his first four seasons, with the lone exception being the COVID-affected 2020 season in which Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending broken leg.

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But as good as McCarthy's regular-season record was, the Cowboys frequently failed in the playoffs. This has left him under regular scrutiny and facing rumors about his job security.

If things don't improve for McCarthy in year five, many believe Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones will engineer a leadership change. Here's what you should know about these speculations and the expectations McCarthy faces in 2024.

Will the Cowboys fire Mike McCarthy?

The Cowboys likely won't make a decision on McCarthy's future until after the 2024 NFL season and 2025 postseason. Dallas has fired a coach in a season only once — Wade Phillips after a 1-7 start in 2010 — and McCarthy has made the playoffs three straight seasons. So barring a disaster, McCarthy should remain with the team until the end of the season.

However, McCarthy appears to be training for his coaching job this year. After the Cowboys' 48-32 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs, there were rumors about his job security that were not solely due to Dallas' defensive woes in that contest.

Why? Jones was cautious when discussing McCarthy's job security after the team's 38-10 victory in Week 18 over the Washington Commanders to clinch the NFC's second seed.

“We’ll see how every game goes in the playoffs,” Jones said when asked about McCarthy’s future at the time.

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After their playoff exit, McCarthy's job was in limbo for a few days and the Cowboys weighed their options. Finally, Jones released a statement announcing that McCarthy would be returning for a fifth season.

“I believe this team is very close and capable of achieving our ultimate goals and the best step forward for us will be with Mike McCarthy as our head coach,” Jones said. “It will be of great benefit to continue the team’s progress under Mike’s leadership as our head coach.”

“While we are all disappointed with Sunday's loss and our playoff record, I 100 percent support him as our head coach and his ability to achieve our goals,” he added.

Jones failed to give McCarthy and Co. a verbal ultimatum in the offseason to succeed in the 2025 NFL playoffs. The owner has also taken some responsibility for the team's struggles in 2024, but it's clear his patience with McCarthy is running out.

That could cause McCarthy's seat to heat up significantly if the Cowboys can't reverse their slow start.

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Mike McCarthy record

McCarthy entered the 2024 NFL season as an NFL head coach with a record of 167-102-2. That included a record of 125-77-2 with the Packers and a record of 42-25 with the Cowboys.

McCarthy has only had four losing seasons compared to 11 with double-digit wins in his 17 NFL seasons so far. The 2024 season marks his 18th stint as a head coach at the NFL level since 2006.

Why Mike McCarthy is on the hot seat for the Cowboys' 2024 season

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