Cowboys Lame-Duck Staff 'Unhappy' with Jerry Jones' 'Lack of Commitment': Explosive Report

Dallas Cowboys Lame-Duck Coaching Staff 'Unhappy' with Jerry Jones' 'Lack of Commitment': Explosive Report On Dak Prescott, Mike McCarthy and Mike Zimmer

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys just finished being one-and-done in the NFL playoffs. And as their follow-up? Team owner Jerry Jones is overseeing changes here inside The Star that have reportedly "resulted in discomfort and unhappiness within the building'' due to a belief that there is "little sense of commitment is felt'' ... all because so many people involved, including coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Dak Prescott, might themselves be contractually "one-and-done.''

It has been well-documented that McCarthy is in the final year of his contract, with sources telling CowboysSI.com that the Jones family would like for a level of success in 2024 to eventually lead to an extension. But there are certainly no guarantees there.

It's also well-known - indeed, it is among the NFL's top stories at the moment - that Prescott is entering the final year of his deal, and that while an extension is the goal there, too (with a March 13 deadline of cap-compliance looming while Prescott presently counts an unwieldy $59.4 million against the cap), there are options that could leave him without a deal beyond 2024.

“Our whole thing with Dak is him being a Cowboy,” COO Stephen Jones said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “That’s all that’s on our mind.”

Nevertheless, Prescott's contract situation is part of this explosive Dallas News report in which it is revealed that the Cowboys' latest hires, including new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, have come to The Star on one-year deals ... and that the setup is resulting in a widespread lame-duck feel that the paper says has created "discomfort and unhappiness within the building. ...

"One person close to the situation said the sentiment extends deeper than the coaches, adding that little sense of commitment is felt anywhere.''

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The News said the one-year staff contracts for newcomers are intentional as "team brass opted to keep new and returning coaches on a uniform track.'' Meanwhile, Jones has argued that a certain level of "discomfort'' is appropriate, and maybe beneficial, given that the Cowboys have achieved three straight 12-win regular seasons but have been unable to get over the playoff hump.

But "discomfort'' is one thing. Employees talking in the building about "a sentiment that extends deeper than the coaches''? Employees accusing the Joneses - amid the announced plan to be "all in'' - of creating an environment in which "little sense of commitment is felt anywhere''?

Those feelings are problematic. Those discussions being whispered about to the media are problematic, too.