'Everything on The Line' For Dallas Cowboys' Mike McCarthy & Dak Prescott in 2024

The Dallas Cowboys are entering into a fiery inferno in 2024, with both Mike McCarthy and Dak Prescott fighting for their respective jobs.

October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy (left) and / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

As leaders of the Dallas Cowboys, head coach Mike McCarthy and Dak Prescott will be tasked with leading the franchise into its most pressurized season in recent memory.

After three consecutive 12-5 seasons, all of which ended in the same sour fashion in the playoffs, it appears that owner Jerry Jones is putting his foot down and making both McCarthy and Prescott fight for their jobs in 2024.

That is Jones' way of saying "all-in."

But with so much pressure to lead the organization to at least its first NFC Championship game in nearly three decades with a severely weakened roster, this 2024 ride is going to be anything but smooth.

But due to past failures, that's exactly where Dak and McCarthy find themselves.

“McCarthy needs to push the Cowboys to at least the Divisional Round to feel even somewhat comfortable with his job security, and it’s not a coincidence management let Prescott’s contract stand as is entering 2024,” NFL.com writes. “Everything is on the line, and it feels like the 'Boys are still a move or two away from feeling properly prepared for this massive campaign ahead.”

With Prescott playing for a new contract (unless one is worked out during the season) and McCarthy fighting for his job, the Cowboys will again, be front and center for media scrutiny.

October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy (left) and / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

While that is nothing new in Dallas, one can argue that this is an interesting dynamic - both head coach and franchise quarterback both entering the final year of their contracts at the same time. As such, there will be a new level of pressure hanging over the franchise in 2024, unlike anything we might have seen over the past couple of decades. The pitchforks are already being sharpened.

The Cowboys had a glacier slow free agency period that saw several starters and rotational pieces walk out the door, with only Eric Kendricks coming back the other way; the roster is in worse shape than it was at the end of last season.

The NFL Draft offers the last glimmer of hope that the Cowboys could add some pieces to the roster that could help propel the team not only into playoff contention but also into Super Bowl contention - although that seems like a pipe dream right now.

There is no tomorrow for McCarthy and Prescott unless they can break the nearly three-decade drought for a Super Bowl. The 2024 season is it. The "last dance" for a coach and quarterback with the weight of the world on their shoulders.

It's officially gut-check time in Dallas. ... and everything is on the line for Prescott and McCarthy.