With the Dallas Cowboys struggling this season, head coach Mike McCarthy’s future is becoming increasingly uncertain as the team heads into Week 9. Sitting at 3-4, the Cowboys find themselves at a crossroads, their performance plagued by inconsistency. Under McCarthy’s direction, the Cowboys rank 15th in total offense, generating an average of 330.1 yards per game.
Their passing game, while somewhat stronger, places 11th with 1,792 yards. However, the run game has fallen flat, standing last in the league with just 519 yards, and the team is scoring just 21.4 points per game, ranking them 22nd. Quarterback Dak Prescott has also faced challenges, throwing 10 touchdowns against eight interceptions, with an 84.5 passer rating and 18 sacks. These numbers raise questions about McCarthy’s ability to turn things around.
Complicating matters, the defense has been in turmoil since Dan Quinn left to coach the Washington Commanders, who now boast a 6-2 record. Under defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, the Cowboys’ defense has become one of the league’s weakest, surrendering an average of 28.3 points per game.
Key players like Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and DaRon Bland have battled injuries, and this week’s news that star cornerback Trevon Diggs will miss Sunday’s game against the Falcons only adds to the team’s woes. Despite three playoff appearances under McCarthy, the Cowboys have yet to make it past the divisional round, leading NFL insiders to speculate that a coaching change could be inevitable if the season doesn’t improve.
Adding intrigue to the situation, NFL insiders Zak Keefer and Jeff Howe of The Athletic report that McCarthy’s job is shadowed by former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick. “Every situation involving the Cowboys is always the most extreme, and this season’s attention on Mike McCarthy’s job with Bill Belichick possibly lurking in the background is unmatched,” says Howe. Keefer adds, “McCarthy’s future in Dallas is almost a foregone conclusion.”
While owner Jerry Jones has publicly stated he won’t change head coaches midseason, the pressure is mounting. After nearly three decades without a championship, the Cowboys’ Super Bowl-or-bust mentality is undeniable. Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons is pivotal for Dallas, who go in as a 3.5-point underdog, aiming to right the ship. Whether McCarthy can salvage the season and his job remains to be seen.
