Firing Dallas Coach Mike McCarthy? 'He'll Be There Next Year!' Says Cowboys Ex on ESPN

Firing Dallas Coach Mike McCarthy? 'He'll Be There Next Year!' Says Cowboys Ex on ESPN

To question Mike McCarthy's job security as Dallas Cowboys head coach is low-hanging fruit. We aren't even at the end of the season, and his tenure as coach for next season has already come under serious scrutiny.

ESPN's Adam Schefter's rumor that McCarthy's job is "unsettled" and his future will depend on how Dallas' final playoff game goes, was interesting, as our own Mike Fisher debunked that as no "source" could know what the bar is that McCarthy has to reach or what classifies as "failure.''

But Fish does say "never say never" as if for instance "there is a 50-0 loss in the playoffs'' (exaggerated scenario), then a conversation would likely be had.

Then we have owner Jerry Jones' comments after the 38-10 win over the Washington Commanders to which he stated on McCarthy's future "We'll see how each game goes in the playoffs."

That sounded ominous - especially when parsed the way some in the media did - but then Jerry clarified his comments on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday.

Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY SPORTS, Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports

"I don't know how I could be any clearer: Mike is under contract next year so it's not an issue," Jones said. 

Former Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears is one who has come to the defense of McCarthy amid questions about his job security.

"This man has won 36 games in his (last) three years with the Dallas Cowboys, and every offseason we talk about his job,” Spears said on NFL Live. “The team is going to the playoffs, the quarterback, you could make an argument, outplayed anybody in the league this year after he took over play-calling duties. I’m glad Jerry Jones decided to clarify that Mike McCarthy is under contract and he’ll be there next year and he should be.”

Consider how the "brotherhood" and the close relationships within the locker room have been detailed over the last two days, with McCarthy highlighting his relationship with Dak Prescott and then offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer revealing an autographed ball gesture that goes on in a Friday meeting.

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Now consider that for McCarthy to lose his job, another factor - as Fish notes - would be him losing the locker room.

That obviously has not happened. And barring "a 50-0 loss in the playoffs,'' or some similar football disaster, McCarthy likely will be the head coach for the Cowboys next year and in Spears' words, he "should be" as well.