NFL Insider: Mike McCarthy, Cowboys Haven't Had 'Substantive' Contract Talks

Head coach Mike McCarthy's contract is set to expire at the conclusion of the 2024 NFL season, but he and the Dallas Cowboys reportedly have yet to engage in serious contract negotiations.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, there have been "no substantive talks" between the two sides regarding an extension.

However, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has heaped praise on McCarthy as of late, particularly after Dallas' 26-24 upset win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week when he said:

"I can't tell you how proud I am of the way the coaching staff, led by Mike McCarthy, the way that the leadership on this team, and really proud of these young players. They just are growing mentally and physically by leaps and bounds, makes me think we've got and outstanding future ahead of us."

McCarthy took over as the Cowboys' head coach in 2020, and after going 6-10 in his first season, he posted three consecutive 12-5 campaigns, which resulted in three playoff appearances and two NFC East titles.

Despite that, there was some question whether McCarthy would be fired after the 2023 season on the heels of the second-seeded Cowboys getting shocked at home by the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Round of the playoffs.

Jones opted to keep McCarthy, but he did so as a lame duck rather than giving the veteran coach an extension.

At 7-8, the Cowboys have been eliminated from playoff contention, marking the first time they have missed the postseason since 2020.

While that would likely be enough to cost McCarthy his job under normal circumstances, the amount of adversity he had to overcome this season could potentially result in Jones reconsidering.

In addition to McCarthy being without star quarterback Dak Prescott for much of the season due to injury, several other key players have missed significant time as well, including pass-rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, cornerbacks DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs, guard Zack Martin, tight end Jake Ferguson and wide receiver Brandin Cooks.

Also, the Cowboys have shut down superstar wide receiver CeeDee Lamb for the final two games of the season due to a shoulder ailment.

Despite all of those injuries, the Cowboys still have a chance to finish with a record above .500, provided they can upset the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders over the final two weeks of the season.

During an appearance on 105.3 The Fan (h/t ESPN's Todd Archer) earlier this week, Jones said he and McCarthy have had conversations about the future, but he declined to get into specifics.

That suggests Jones may at least be open to the idea of bringing McCarthy back in 2025, but as of now, McCarthy and the Cowboys' coaching situation are very much in limbo.

If the Cowboys opt against re-signing McCarthy, he could potentially have some interest on the head coaching market given his 174-110-2 career record, 12 career playoff appearances and one Super Bowl title with the Packers in 2010.