Over the past few weeks, the Dallas Cowboys have appeared to be among the best teams in the NFL, and if they do not perform well in the postseason, head coach Mike McCarthy may lose his job. According to one report, the Cowboys have already lined up a replacement.
It’s widely believed in the NFL, according to Tony Pauline of SportsKeeda, that McCarthy will lose his job if the Cowboys are unable to go deep into the postseason. Pauline claims there is “a consensus belief throughout the league” that Dan Quinn, Dallas’ defensive coordinator, will be promoted to head coach should the team decide to part ways with McCarthy.
Quinn has been the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator for three seasons. Before that, he was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2015 to 2020. Quinn led the Falcons to the Super Bowl in 2016 and finished 43–42 during his tenure.
Quinn, 53, had a few interviews as a head coach during the previous offseason, and a lot more interest in him is anticipated during the next hiring cycle. However, Pauline notes that if McCarthy is still the Cowboys’ head coach in 2024, Quinn is anticipated to stay on his staff.
You can see why Quinn might want to wait if he has any reason to think he is Dallas’ coach-in-waiting. The Cowboys head coach position is among the most prestigious in all of sports, but there is no assurance that McCarthy will be let go or retire in the coming years.
McCarthy has been Dallas’ head coach for four years. Despite his 39-23 overall record, the Cowboys are just 1-2 in the postseason while he is in charge. Jason Garrett was given ten seasons by Jerry Jones to attempt a deep playoff run, but it was never accomplished.
But given that Jones is 81 years old now, it would make sense if he is growing impatient. There is no doubt that McCarthy and the rest of the team are under more pressure because he sincerely wants the Cowboys to win another championship during his lifetime.