Speculation continues regarding the job status of Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy after Sunday’s disastrous loss to the Green Bay Packers. While most believe owner Jerry Jones will make a change, there is one cautionary note regarding how the players feel about McCarthy.
Jane Slater of NFL Network noted that Cowboys players remain firmly behind McCarthy even after Sunday’s defeat. Slater noted players love McCarthy on a personal level and praise his “love of players.” Player frustrations stem more from schemes, not McCarthy’s management of the players.
To the fans, who think this team has quit on Mike McCarthy my conversations with players don’t tell me that AT all. Really interesting hearing them defend him, his culture & how he’s lead them on the field and off of it. Their ownership of failing Mike is what stands out the most
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) January 15, 2024
-Nuggets like wanting players on Saturday practices to bring their families so he can meet them and interact
-Meeting breaks to text a loved one and say thank you for their support
-Preservation of their bodies with rest days
-“his love of players like none I’ve had before”— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) January 15, 2024
Fans can roll their eyes but I do think players thoughts matter as Jerry Jones weighs decision.
Another player was frustrated with a stubbornness to stick to schemes on both sides of the ball. Motion offenses killing defenses and concern that Dak panics when 1st read not there— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) January 15, 2024
Presumably, none of this is lost on Jones. However, the 81-year-old owner is also desperate to win, and with Bill Belichick available, there will be a tremendous temptation to go in that direction.
McCarthy will be aware of the speculation, but there also may be some reason for him to feel a bit more comfortable than conventional wisdom would suggest.
