Dallas Cowboys rave about Mike McCarthy, locker room culture

The Dallas Cowboys are rallying behind head coach Mike McCarthy despite some fans wishing the team would tank for a better draft pick.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy walks off the field after the game at Bank of America Stadium. / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Dallas Cowboys were struggling throughout the middle of the season and Cowboys Nation began calling for the team to tank a lost season for a top draft pick.

Instead, players found their fighting spirit and rallied behind head coach Mike McCarthy.

Now, with the team 3-1 over the past four games, there is growing belief that Mike McCarthy could return as coach.

MORE: What would make Cowboys fans okay with another year of Mike McCarthy?

And if he does, he has the players' support.

Cooper Rush, who has been starting in place of an injured Dak Prescott, spoke highly of McCarthy following the team's big win over the Carolina Panthers. Rush raved about McCarthy's leadership and the locker room culture he has built in Dallas.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush celebrates with Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy after a kickoff return for a touchdown by Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin. / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

“It’s just who we are, a bunch of guys that love to compete, a lot of winners on this team, a lot of wins over the last few years with coach McCarthy and these core players,” Rush said after the game. “There’s a culture there—you’re going to go out there and play your butt off and compete no matter what.

“It’s just more who he is—it’s just been the attitude the last couple of years. He does a great job having a pulse of the team, keeping guys together, keeping us together in the locker room and creating that culture that no matter who we’re playing, what we’re doing. If you’re out there, you’re competing your butt off. He has us well prepared.”

The Cowboys still have a slim chance to reach the NFL Playoffs, but the team will have to win out and get a lot of help.

But with the way they have rallied behind their head coach since the end of November, anything is possible. The question is: will it be worth giving up a top draft pick in the long run?

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