Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has spoken out for the first time since the ‘mutual’ decision for head coach Mike McCarthy to leave the NFL franchise.
It was reported Monday that McCarthy would be leaving his position in Dallas after failing to agree a new contract with the team.
Jones, who also acts as the Cowboys’ general manager, broke his silence Monday afternoon, stating that it had become clear that the Cowboys needed to head in a different direction.
‘Throughout Mike McCarthy’s tenure here, including the last several weeks, I have been very complimentary of the job he has done,’ Jones began in a statement.
‘That has applied to our record over that time period, our team unity and culture, Mike’s qualifications and track record of success, and on a personal level as a tremendous human being. I have great respect for Mike, and he has led the team through some very unique and challenging times during his tenure.’
The 82-year-old Jones had been consistently defensive of McCarthy’s performance at the helm in Dallas, despite his failure to reach the NFC Championship game during his five-season tenure.
Jerry Jones has spoken out for the first time since head coach Mike McCarthy’s exit
It was announced Monday that McCarthy would be leaving his position as head coach
As recently as a few days ago, both parties were said to be looking ahead to the future and ‘remained open’ to working together.
However, Jones has now claimed that following in-depth conversations about the future of the franchise, both he and McCarthy decided to part ways.
‘Over the past week, Mike and I had the opportunity to conduct a joint review of all aspects of the past season, our players and staff, and also spent considerable time discussing the road forward for the team,’ his statement continued.
‘These discussions were thorough and received an appropriate amount of time and depth to cover. Prior to reaching the point of contract negotiations, though, it became mutually clear that it would be better for each of us to head in a different direction. I thank Mike and wish him, his wife Jessica and their family the best. They have been a wonderful part of our community here.
‘We will commence a search process immediately to hire the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.’
McCarthy’s deal will expire Tuesday after Jones was reluctant to commit to him for the 2025 season after the team went 7-10 and missed the playoffs.
The coach went 49-35 in five seasons with Dallas and never reached the NFC Championship game in that span.
He was, however, hampered by injuries to star quarterback Dak Prescott for long stretches in two separate seasons, as the passer played just eight games this year after suffering a season-ending hamstring injury.
McCarthy was hampered at times by injuries to his star quarterback Dak Prescott (left)
McCarthy, who led the Packers to a Super Bowl win previously, led the Cowboys to a 12-5 record last year (before his team was beaten 48-32 at home in the Wild Card round by Green Bay).
Dallas had previously rejected the Chicago Bears’ request to interview McCarthy for their vacant head coaching position, and it is now expected that he will speak to them in the coming days.
The New Orleans Saints are also likely to be interested in McCarthy, and he is being tipped to make a head coaching return in 2025.
The Cowboys join five other teams – the Bears, the Saints, the Las Vegas Raiders, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets – in the hunt for a new head coach this offseason after the New England Patriots filled their vacancy with Mike Vrabel over the weekend.
