Turmoil has found Dallas once again. After a blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round on Sunday night, Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones has much to consider.
The owner and general manager spoke to reporters after the final whistle of the 48-32 matchup that sent the Cowboys packing for the third year running. The loss puts head coach Mike McCarthy’s future into question and ends what was an otherwise exciting season for Dallas.
According to Jon Machota, Jerry Jones did said he hasn’t thought about when he’ll sit down with Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. He called the loss one of the biggest surprises he’s ever seen in sports. “I’m floored,” Jones said following the game.
The Dallas Cowboys fans in AT&T Stadium on Sunday were stunned as the Packers got off to a 27-0 lead. Dak Prescott and the offense managed to get the ball in the end zone before halftime but the 27-7 score still felt insurmountable after the defense gave up 217 yards with help from two Prescott interceptions.
The Cowboys came out of the half with some juice, but it quickly dissipated. Green Bay scored 14 more points in the third quarter, eviscerating any hopes of a comeback attempt.
The Cowboys tacked on a couple late touchdowns to make it 48-32, but it was too little, too late. Dallas’s record in the playoffs under Mike McCarthy falls to 1-3.
Jones affirmed McCarthy’s role prior to loss
Jones, speaking on 105.3 The Fan Tuesday, said he “couldn’t be more pleased” with McCarthy, calling him “the big difference this year” to the Cowboys’ success. The comments have lost their luster, however, since the beat down on Sunday.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with what he’s done and how he’s coached. … I really mean it,” Jones said, via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “He has really made as big a difference from his head coaching vantage point as anybody could from any vantage point in the NFL. He’s the big difference this year.”
Jones had a different tone the day prior, however, when asked about McCarthy’s job status for 2024 and beyond. The head coach has one year remaining on his contract.
“I just think his record speaks for itself,” Jones said. “I think of what he has done and that we’ve put ourselves in this position over these last three years. Think that does speak for itself. We’ve got a lot of football left and no small part thanks to Mike. … We’ll see how each game goes.”
A quarter of the league is currently on the hunt for new head coaches. After the Cowboys’ loss to Green Bay, they could be next.
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