Mike McCarthy is optimistic about 2024.
Head coach Mike McCarthy seems happy with where he is with the Dallas Cowboys as we get closer to the 2024 NFL Draft, and he had a message for those who are worried about his status with the team. The Cowboys have seen a lot of change this offseason, losing veterans and some important members of the coaching staff.
“Don’t feel bad for me,” Mike McCarthy said, via David Moore of The Dallas Morning News. “I’m in a great spot. … I know you care. I know you care.”
McCarthy has one year left on his Cowboys contract going into the 2024 season, so the team may decide to let him go in the upcoming summer. The last three years the squad has qualified for the postseason, but each time has resulted in disappointment. McCarthy stated that he is not under any more strain in the last year of his contract.
“I don’t see it as more pressure,” McCarthy said, via Moore. “I think it’s just the reality of our industry. That’s what it is. Those are business decisions and those are really personal, frankly, because we are subcontractors when it comes to the financial component of it. … You can’t lose sight of the big picture. Make no bones about it. I am extremely blessed to be here. I’m very much engaged where my feet are and the opportunities I’ve had personally. … I’m very blessed. I never lose sight of that.”
The Cowboys are now facing a slight cap shortage and are unable to resolve Dak Prescott’s contract dispute. Due to his massive cap hit, Dallas will also need to quickly come up with long-term plans for Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have their sights set mostly on the 2024 campaign right now.
Mike McCarthy’s time with the Cowboys
Prior to the 2020 campaign, McCarthy was employed by the Cowboys, replacing Jason Garrett in the position. Following a disappointing 6-10 inaugural season in which numerous injuries, most notably to Dak Prescott, had a major influence, the Cowboys have finished 12-5 in each of the last three seasons.
The Cowboys won the NFC East in 2021, although they were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers in the wild card round. Dallas qualified for the playoffs as a wild card the next season (2022), defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round, and were once more eliminated by the 49ers. In the divisional round, this time on the road. The 49ers lost both of their close and devastating games.
The Cowboys’ most heartbreaking loss came in 2023 when, as the No. 2 seed, they were humiliated at home by the Green Bay Packers in the wild card round. Going into 2024, McCarthy is under pressure, especially in light of this loss.
It will be interesting to watch whether the Cowboys have more success in the 2024 postseason.