Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images Reports are suggesting that McCarthy will be back in Dallas, here’s why that’s a major mistake. It sure sounds like the Dallas Cowboys will be bringing back Mike McCarthy with a new contract to kick off 2025. While the details of the potential deal are still unknown, there are multiple reasons why that signals bad news for Cowboys fans. After several days of discussions about the 2024 season and the future, #Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and coach Mike McCarthy remain open to moving forward together and the sides are expected to open talks today on a new contract to keep him in Dallas, per sources. There have been… pic.twitter.com/JDIPsM1Q4D — Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 10, 2025 After a disappointing 7-10 record in 2024, all signs pointed to Jerry Jones electing to move on from the fifth-year head coach after finishing in third place of the NFC East and missing the playoffs for the first time in three years. In his five years in Dallas, McCarthy posted an impressive 49-35 record, but lack of success in the playoffs led Jones to make his famous quote over the offseason of “all in”. While many Cowboys fans were not quite sure how to take that, Jones later stated that he was going all-in on the season in regard to players and coaches on the last year of their deals. Leading most logical fans to believe that if the Cowboys disappointed in 2024, head coach Mike McCarthy could be on the move. The Cowboys made some moves in the offseason when CeeDee Lamb finalized a deal in August as the Cowboys neared the end of training camp, and Dak Prescott was signed to a massive contract before the Cowboys week one game against the Cleveland Browns. But what about McCarthy? With no news of any contract talk throughout the season, most believed it was NFC Championship or bust for the 18-year veteran head coach. After missing the playoffs and having one of their worst seasons since 2015, McCarthy looks to be returning as the Cowboys head coach in 2025. And that could be a massive mistake for the Cowboys. In 2024, the Cowboys played nine playoff teams who will be competing for the Lombardi Trophy over the next few weeks. The Cowboys finished 3-6 against those teams and had a point differential of -118. The 2024 season was not kind to the Cowboys, so let us take a look back and see how they did against equal or better opponents in previous seasons. In 2023, the Cowboys played seven playoff teams and finished with a 3-4 record and a point differential of -16. In 2022, the Cowboys played eight playoff teams and finished with a 5-3 record and had a point differential of +56. In 2021, the Cowboys played seven playoff teams and finished with a 3-4 record and a point differential of +33. In the last four years, the McCarthy led Cowboys finished with a 15-17 record against playoff teams and a point differential of -45. The only two years they finished with a positive point differential in McCarthy’s tenure at head coach was with Kellen Moore as the primary play-caller and offensive coordinator. Since Moore’s departure, the Cowboys offense has struggled to keep pace with contending teams and win games against the top dogs in the NFC and AFC. Which leads to the biggest issue. McCarthy was brought in to get this team over the hump, and despite having the opportunity to do so, he’s failed. While this study was just done on regular-season games, when we take a deeper dive into the playoffs, it paints an even bleaker picture. In the Cowboys 2023 playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, the Cowboys were dealt a 48-32 loss, at home, against a team most thought was the underdog coming into AT&T Stadium. In 2022, the Cowboys seemed to have turned the corner, beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road in the Wild Card round, before losing on the road to the San Francisco 49ers 19-12. In 2021, the Cowboys were again embarrassed at home by the 49ers in a 23-17 loss in the Wild Card round. The Cowboys hired Mike McCarthy to do what former head coach Jason Garrett could not. Get them to and through the playoffs. After falling flat on that responsibility for five years, it leads a lot of fans questioning why McCarthy would return to the Cowboys on a new contract after following the path Garrett did for over a decade. While the lack of ideal candidates in this head coaching cycle is a real thing, McCarthy has shown for five years what he can do against the top half of league and in the playoffs and it has not been good enough. In fact, in their best years against those teams, with a positive point differential, McCarthy was not calling plays and was not the team’s offensive coordinator. For a team that has fell flat in the playoffs for almost two decades now, a lot of fans had hope for change, but with reports filtering out over the last week, it seems like more of the same could be on the way for fans.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports Your Sunday morning Cowboys news. There’s no hope for Cowboys offense if they don’t improve in this one area -Reid Hanson, Cowboys Wire Is offensive tackle play really the Cowboys fatal flaw? One of the Dallas Cowboys’ biggest struggles throughout the 2024 season was pass protection from the offensive tackle positions. Whether it was Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, or even Trey Lance at the helm, Dallas’ signal callers were routinely facing trouble from the edge, and their play in the pocket reflected that. The Cowboys’ two offensive tackles, Terence Steele and Tyler Guyton, were all-too-often turnstiles as pass protectors. Their inconsistent play on drop backs forced Dallas to alter the playbook in many ways. Shorter drop backs, quicker releases and abbreviated route combinations were apparent on Day 1 of the season. Less time in the pocket meant less time reading the field, less time for progressions, and fewer big plays. It’s no mystery why Prescott’s Big Time Throws (BTT) per game dropped from 2.4 to 1.75 in 2024. And also explains why virtually all of Prescott’s other passing efficiency numbers dropped significantly across the board as well. Despite posting his shortest Time to Throw (TTT) since 2020, Prescott saw an increase of pressures per game with a significant portion of that coming from the edge. Prescott played like he was on a clock and that was likely by design. Dallas’ struggles at OT were rather predictable and Mike McCarthy’s gameplans generally reflected that. McCarthy routinely used running backs and tight ends to assist his two OTs in pass protection, but that unavoidably removed an extra target downfield. With more defenders in coverage than receiving targets running routes, separation was hard to come by and windows were as narrow as they’ve ever been. It added up to a very stressful situation that not only impacted Prescott’s play in 2024 but may trickle into 2025 as well. Offseason guide for every eliminated NFL team: Key free agents, draft outlook, priorities and predictions – Staff, ESPN ESPN sees a lot of priorities for the Cowboys, the offensive tackles are not one of them. Biggest offseason priority: Figure out the coaching situation. Will Mike McCarthy return, or will team owner Jerry Jones hire his ninth coach since 1989? McCarthy deserves praise for how the team played late in the season when injuries took away key players on both sides of the ball. What happened beforehand, however, has to be reconciled. The offense took a major step back — down more than a touchdown per game in points — and McCarthy is the playcaller, so that has to fall on him. Under-the-radar offseason priority: Keep Jourdan Lewis. He is more than just a slot cornerback. In many ways, he is the heartbeat of the defense. He is unafraid, can blitz off the edge and find the ball. His value, however, transcends the field. He prepares and works the right way and is the type of player others follow. On a defense that could have changes in personnel and coaching, giving Lewis a new deal is a must. — Todd Archer Draft outlook: Dallas needs playmakers, plain and simple. Every offensive skill position is on the table given that running back Rico Dowdle is hitting free agency, the regression of tight end Jake Ferguson and the desperate need for a wide receiver opposite CeeDee Lamb. Picking in the top 15 might be too early for Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, but he should be in strong consideration for the Cowboys, alongside Missouri receiver Luther Burden III and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. — Miller NFL coaches vote on best job openings: Cowboys are clear No. 1 – Jeff Howe, The Athletic The Athletic polled five assistant coaches, including two with head-coaching experience, to rank the current head coach openings, and the Cowboys job comes out on top by a wide margin. 1. Dallas Cowboys There is some apprehension regarding the Cowboys’ unique power structure, as owner Jerry Jones doubles as the general manager, but based on our respondents’ votes, that hasn’t impacted the desirability of this job. The Cowboys’ appeal is obvious. “The roster built to win now,” a former head coach said. The Cowboys are up against the salary cap and need to extend annual NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate Micah Parsons. There also are dangers with having a host of highly paid veteran stars, as a rash of injuries can quickly expose depth issues. But the Cowboys, behind VP of player personnel Will McClay, tend to draft well and have waves of younger players on the horizon. Working under Jones tends to provide job security: He’s had five coaches since 2000, all of whom got at least three years. Coaches around the NFL also recognize the legacy they can build if they bring a Super Bowl to Dallas. Should the Cowboys pivot from McCarthy, they might take control of the hiring cycle. Cowboys Rumors: Mike McCarthy, Jerry Jones Haven’t Had ‘Substantial’ Contract Talks – Joseph Zucker, Bleacher Report Another conflicting report about how far along Mike McCarthy and Jerry Jones are in negotiations. Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and team owner Jerry Jones haven’t had “substantial discussions” about McCarthy’s contract recently, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Schefter reported Saturday on NFL Countdown that it’s “in question” whether McCarthy and the Cowboys strike a bargain on a new deal given their lack of communication: The report is a little surprising because Jones has spoken highly of McCarthy’s work throughout the 2024 NFL season, despite Dallas eventually going 7-10 and missing the playoffs. “Well, I feel good about Mike McCarthy, and the main thing is that I like that job that he’s done,” Jones said Dec. 31 during one of his regular appearances on 105.3 The Fan (via ESPN’s Todd Archer). “It’s unfortunate we’re having the year we had, but I feel good about Mike.” On Friday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero also reported that Jones and

Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images Enjoy a Saturday Wild Card playoff double-header from the NFL The NFL playoffs kick off today with two Wild Card games. First the Chargers will play the Texans, then the Steelers visit the Ravens. This is an open thread for game chat.

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images The Dallas Cowboys are going to be in serious need of pass rushers next season. In 2023, the Dallas Cowboys defensive end rotation was loaded. Dan Quinn had a platoon to deploy with Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dante Fowler, Dorance Armstrong, Sam Williams, Chauncey Golston, and Tyrus Wheat as their developmental rusher. Heading into 2025, the only healthy players under contract are Micah Parsons and Marshawn Kneeland. That is a glowing, beaming, and screaming red light of a problem. Williams is still with the team but is recovering from his torn ACL, which he suffered in training camp. Dallas has recently become all too familiar with ACL recoveries, with Trevon Diggs, Terence Steele, and DeMarvion Overshown twice over. Fans should keep their expectations of Williams low until he can find his footing again. Carl Lawson’s sack. Lines up in Houston and fights through a chip, but he’s able to create enough momentum that the LT has no chance to anchor or adequately combat Lawson’s long arm chop, especially with Lock drifting back in the pocket. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/1WwFrNbpH9 — John Owning (@JohnOwning) November 29, 2024 That leaves just Parsons and second-round pick Kneeland as the only two legitimate pass rushers and edge players. Lawrence, Golston, Wheat, and veteran Carl Lawson are all entering free agency. Owner Jerry Jones seemed to signal Lawrence’s time in Dallas may not be over just yet, and Lawson indicated this week that he would also like to return to the Cowboys next season if they want him. There could be a world where both players return, and the depth looks much better heading into the draft. However, Lawrence will be 33 next season, and Lawson will be 30. They need to add younger depth around Parsons and Kneeland, which could be a reason to bring back Golston on a front office patented two-year deal for a few million after he had a career season with 5.5 sacks. Through two games–really like the early returns on Cowboys 2nd round DE Marshawn Kneeland (#94). Still putting it together as a rusher but already looks like a plus run defender. Strength + twitch really pops. pic.twitter.com/3WXPUzJS6g — Mina Kimes (@minakimes) August 18, 2024 The Cowboys can’t afford to re-sign all three players. They will need to address other key positions in free agency, too. The draft will allow them to replenish the position at an affordable price tag and provide more extended control under a rookie contract. It would be wise for Dallas to re-sign two of the three. Considering their history with the team, Lawrence and Golston seem like a logical duo. However, Lawson could be the better choice to pair with Golston, not only from a health standpoint, but also because his price tag could be lower than what someone of Lawrence’s status might command. Lawson also had a bounce-back year after his time with the New York Jets, recording five sacks despite being a rotational player at the start of the year. Regardless of who coaches the defense in 2025, that coach needs a rotation of players who can rush the passer and get to the quarterback on any given down. The defensive line was at its best when Parsons and Lawrence could leave the field for a few plays, and Armstrong and Fowler would come in and be just as productive. Parsons and Kneeland need help. The Cowboys have free agency and the NFL draft to figure out how to solve this problem.

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images How are you feeling about the Cowboys at the moment? With the Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 regular season in the rearview mirror. the team has turned its attention to the 2025 offseason. The first major item up on the agenda is a head coach. All signs point to Jerry Jones deciding to run it back with Mike McCarthy as it has been reported they are negotiating a new contract. We checked in on the Cowboys fanbase a couple of times during the season and in general a majority of fans were hoping the Cowboys went in a new direction at head coach. As it stands, that does not look like it will be the case. When you combine that with a miserable 2024 season that ended with a 7-10 record, it’s enough to anger a fan base. We asked earlier this week if you were confident in the direction of the team. The results were a miserable 5% belief in the direction of the Cowboys. The idea of Mike McCarthy coming back has not created any groundswell of support as that number is about the same as it was over the last couple of weeks of the season. What could the Cowboys do this offseason that would change your mind about the direction of the franchise? Hit the comments and explain your answer.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images The Cowboys have a decision to make about DeMarcus Lawrence in the next couple of months. The Dallas Cowboys have a long list of unrestricted free agents who will officially hit the open market in a little over two months. Of those, six or seven were significant contributors in 2024, meaning the Cowboys have some difficult decisions ahead of them in the next two months. Today, we take a look at a Dallas impending free agents coming off an injury-riddled season, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images 2024 Regular Season Stats: 4G, 9 Total Pressures, 7 Defensive Stops, 4 QB Hurries, 3 Sacks, 2 QB Hits, 1 FFM Year Review: DeMarcus Lawrence came into the 2024 season riding high. The 32-year-old veteran, tied with Zack Martin as the longest-tenured Cowboy on the roster, had a resurgence in his last two seasons. After injuries limited him to playing in just seven regular season games in 2021, Lawrence remained healthy the following two seasons, playing in all 17 regular season games each year. Lawrence was named to the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2023, totaling 107 total pressures, 82 QB hurries, and 11 sacks over those two years. In his later years, Lawrence’s best asset has been his ability to play the run as an edge defender. 2023 was arguably the best season of his career doing just that, as Pro Football Focus graded the 11-year pro as the second-best run defender in football with a 92.2 grade. Entering a contract year for the first time since 2019, Lawrence looked to be in a great position to have another solid season and capitalize on the open market either with the Cowboys or another team. Unfortunately, Lawrence’s 2024 season was cut very short. In Dallas’ Week 4 matchup against the New York Giants, the 32-year-old veteran suffered a foot injury that would immediately land him on injured reserve. At the time of the injury, there was a belief Lawrence could return in potentially six weeks. However, that was not the case, as Lawrence remained on injured reserve for the rest of the season, never seeing the field again. Free Agency Outlook: Lawrence’s significant foot injury really fogs up his potential market in free agency. If the veteran had hit the open market coming off his 2023 campaign, there’s a real chance he could have landed something like three -year deal worth a significant AAV. Now, coming off one of the most impactful injuries of his career at close to age 33, it will be interesting to see if teams are wary of giving Lawrence a long-term offer. Still, despite his age and injury history, teams will still be interested in Lawrence because of what he brings on the field and to the locker room. There’s no denying Lawrence was one of the most essential on and off-field leaders during his time as a Cowboy, and numerous players and coaches have raved about his leadership ability. When looking for a contract projection, two deals signed by veterans last offseason may serve as a good benchmark. Last spring, then 33-year-old Denico Autry and 30-year-old Arik Armstead signed multi-year deals worth at least $10M annually. Autry, the older of the two, signed a two-year, $20M contract with the Houston Texans, while Armstead inked a three-year, $43.5M deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. At this point in his career, Lawrence is certainly not the pass-rush threat Autry or Armstead were when they entered free agency. Still, he is a comparable all-around player and will likely be looking for a deal with a similar AAV to the duo. The 2025 free agent class has some talent at the edge position, including Josh Sweat, Chase Young, and Dante Fowler. What Lawrence has going for him is most of the top free-agent talent at the position are pure pass-rushers who struggle against the run. The 11-year veteran isn’t the pass-rusher we saw back in 2017 or 2018, but he did record three sacks in four games last year and can still get after the quarterback to go with outstanding defense against the run. Cowboys Verdict: Lawrence has meant so much to the Cowboys over his 11 years in Dallas. The veteran turned out to be one of the best second-round picks in the history of the franchise. It would be tough if playing in just four games is how his time as a Cowboy ends, but at this point and time, there is a real possibility that will be the case. The Cowboys have a number of critical free agents of their own they will need to retain if they want to be competitive next season. While Lawrence is close to the top of the list, defenders like Osa Odighizuwa and Jourdan Lewis are younger and playing better at this point in their careers, making them a bigger priority to retain. Lawrence coming back to Dallas will likely come down to one thing: money. If the 11-year veteran wants to secure a multi-year contract worth a significant AAV, there’s close to zero chance he’ll get that from the Cowboys. But, if Lawrence decides he wants to stay home and will work with Dallas to get a deal done, there’s a path to a potential contract with plenty of incentives that could work for both sides. Ultimately, this will probably be the last free agent contract Lawrence will sign in his NFL career, making it more likely he’ll look for a multi-year deal with a high AAV. As hard as it may be, Dallas may be staring down the barrel of losing their two most tenured players (Lawrence, Zack Martin) for different reasons this offseason. Prediction: DeMarcus Lawrence signs a two-year, $30M contract with the Detroit Lions