Mike McCarthy on returning to Cowboys – ‘Buy into us’

FRISCO, Texas — Mike McCarthy hopes history can repeat itself.

For him to have a long-term future with the Dallas Cowboys, he may have to.

In his fifth year with the Green Bay Packers in 2010, he won Super Bowl XLV. He enters his fifth season as Cowboys head coach in 2024 with no assurance that he will be back in 2025 since he is in the final year of his contract.

“I believe the direction, the leadership, everything is in place,” McCarthy said. And I'm not very comfortable talking about myself, but I came here to win a championship. I didn't come here to get another contract or anything. I came to Dallas to win a world championship, and that's why I'm here. Buy us.

Three days after a disappointing loss to the Packers at AT&T Stadium, owner and general manager Jerry Jones made McCarthy's 2024 return official Wednesday with a 260-word statement that praised McCarthy's regular-season winning percentage and his ” demonstrated success in the playoffs.” ” even though it came with the Packers. The Cowboys are just 1-3 in the playoffs under McCarthy.

Jones and McCarthy had a three-hour meeting Wednesday to discuss topics including the loss to the Packers, the players and the direction forward. McCarthy said he didn't walk into the meeting wondering if his job was on the line.

“I'll be honest with you: The only thing I worry about is my family,” McCarthy said. “I'm extremely confident in who I am. I can't say that enough. So I'm confident in what we've done here and I have great confidence in where we're going. That's really how the meeting ended. And not only where we're going, but we have work to do. The work isn't done yet. And we both know it.

McCarthy was 42-25 in the regular season. The Cowboys have won the NFC East twice in the last three years. They have made the playoffs in three straight years, their longest streak since 1991-96 in which they won three Super Bowls.

But the Cowboys' Super Bowl drought now stretches to 28 seasons.

“We have work to do,” McCarthy said. “The work is not done. We know that.”

In 2023, McCarthy's first year as playmaker, the Cowboys led the NFL in scoring (29.9 points) and were No. 5 in yards (371.6). He believes a second year of his system will lead to improvements in 2024. Dak Prescott led the NFL in touchdown passes (36) and completed a career-best 69.9% of his passes, being named to the second team All-Pro.

But Prescott struggled against the Packers, with two interceptions in the first half, including one that was returned for a touchdown that increased Green Bay's lead to 27-0. Prescott is 2-5 in the playoffs.

“I believe in Dak Prescott. I think he's clearly the answer,” McCarthy said. “It's part of the solution moving forward, and I think, even though it's a tough time right now, when we can get through this emotional time that we're in, we'll continue to build on what he brings. “.

As for his coaching staff, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is interviewing for five vacant head coaching positions. If he gets one of those jobs, the Cowboys would be looking for a replacement. The only coaching position not under contract for 2024 is wide receivers coach Robert Prince, although other changes could come.

McCarthy said he has had preliminary talks with his aides but expects more formal meetings next week.

When asked if Quinn would return if he didn't get a head coaching job, McCarthy said, “Dan is a very valued member of our coaching staff. We'll go through the process here.”

After that will come issues on a roster that has 16 players set to become unrestricted free agents, salary cap issues that include Prescott's $59.4 million cap hit and a draft that will need to shore up problem areas.

But at least McCarthy knows he'll be back for one more chance.

“We've established a championship program. It's just not a world championship,” McCarthy said. “We know how to win. We know how to train to win. We have the right people, but we haven't crossed the threshold for playoff wins. It's extremely disappointing to be sitting here talking, but I know how to win. We will cross that threshold.”