The Dallas Cowboys have been under heavy scrutiny with how Jerry Jones has approached the contracts of his star players. Quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and edge rusher Micah Parsons have yet to receive any sort of extension, and the organization is reportedly “nowhere near” close to extending them.
To make matters more complicated, a new report has emerged that head coach Mike McCarthy is “fed up” with how Jones constantly undermines him. Longtime NFL insider Rich Eisen brought up the report and added more context.
Eisen quotes the report that states a former Cowboys personnel executive commented on the relationship between McCarthy and Jones, stating, “It is crazy what’s going on, and it doesn’t ever really change … Mike McCarthy, he’s doing the best he can. Some of the people that I have talked to have said he is getting ‘fed up with it a little bit.'”
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 14: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys watches action prior to the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium on January 14, 2024… More RICHARD RODRIGUEZ/GETTY IMAGES
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Eisen indicates that the quote is obviously the “juicy” part of this report and that it can be chalked up to mostly just hearsay. However, he also indicates that if the report is true and McCarthy is getting fed up then, “Can you blame him?”
Eisen indicates that McCarthy had to go home and explain to his family that he had no clue what would happen to him next year — a logical source of frustration. Much like the Cowboys’ star players, Jones has also not given an extension to his head coach or most of McCarthy’s staff.
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Back in April, Jones spoke to reporters about the franchise extending players like Prescott and Lamb, to which Jones gave a vague answer that held no semblance of hope. Jones stated, “We’d like to see more leaves fall.”
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This is a confusing statement considering Prescott, Lamb, Parsons, and McCarthy have all excelled at their respective jobs.
Prescott led the NFL with 36 touchdowns. He also had 4,516 yards, which is good for third among all quarterbacks. Lamb was second in receiving yards with 1,749 and 12 touchdowns, which is 50 yards and one touchdown below league leader Tyreek Hill.
McCarthy has led the Cowboys to three straight 12-5 records. Though the team has yet to make it to a Super Bowl, three straight playoff appearances should still be measured as successful.
If this report is true, it would also aid the confusion that many pundits have shared about how Jones has willingly ignored upgrading the team in the offseason. The Cowboys made little to no effort to sign some of the big-name free agents. While cap space is always to be considered, the team could have made efforts to boost its roster tocompete for a Super Bowl berth again.
Jones continues to implement a “wait and see” type of ownership style, and it could come back to haunt him next season. Prescott is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and he might consider denying any sort of contract extension in favor of playing for another franchise that values him more.
Lamb has also not shown up for OTAs or minicamp, leading many to believe he will also skip training camp until he is given a proper deal. Jones might need to do something to ensure he at least keeps the trio of his star players in-house, along with his winning head coach.