Insider fuels Bill Belichick, Cowboys rumors

"I just think we need to keep an eye on what might happen if the Cowboys flame out — if it pinned back to McCarthy — and Belichick is available," Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio told KRLD-FM in Dallas Thursday. "As crazy as it sounds, it's not impossible that Belichick would be on Jerry's radar screen if the playoff loss is clearly pinnable on McCarthy."  

McCarthy — who won Super Bowl XLV while he served as Green Bay Packers HC  — has posted a 40-24 record in four seasons with Dallas. However, he's failed to end the Cowboys' 28-year championship drought, and they've suffered back-to-back playoff losses to the San Francisco 49ers.

NFL media's Ian Rapoport recently reported Jones was mulling a contract extension for McCarthy. He could easily change his mind, though, especially if the Cowboys falter in the postseason. Jones fired former Dallas HC Chan Gailey in 1999 after consecutive first-round playoff exits and let go of Hall of Famer Bill Parcells in 2006 after a disastrous wild-card loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Still, Belichick — who the Patriots (3-11) will reportedly move on from this offseason — coaching "America's Team" seems like a pipe dream. Jones would probably have to cede his general manager duties to land the six-time Super Bowl champion, something he might not be willing to do.

While Belichick is more accomplished than McCarthy, he deserves some credit for putting the Cowboys (10-4) in an excellent position. They've already secured a playoff spot and are second in the NFC. As of Thursday, oddschecker gives them the fifth-best Super Bowl odds (+1000).

So, don't expect to see the "Hoodie" on the Cowboys' sideline next season.