FRISCO - After missing the playoffs in his lame-duck coaching season in 2019, Jason Garrett had to wait only two days before learning his contract and would not be renewed by the Dallas Cowboys.
A year ago, Mike McCarthy had to wait three days before the decision from owner Jerry Jones was finalized, leaving the coach in place for 2024.
But as he approaches what could be the final game of his career after a similarly unsuccessful season without a contract or a berth in the postseason, Jerry is making it sound like McCarthy might not face such expediency.
In his final 2024 weekly radio interview in a disappointing 7-9 season that ends Sunday against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium, owner Jerry Jones on New Year's Eve laid out his timeline for potential coaching staff changes while also giving more strong hints that the head coach may not be one of them.
"I'm not under any unusual time frame at all," Jones said on 105.3 The Fan.
The problem with Jerry's non-timetable suggestion?
It's not true.
As NFL.com is reporting, at the end of regular season (for Dallas that means this Sunday afternoon) other teams can request permission from the Cowboys to interview McCarthy; Dallas can decline those requests if it chooses.
But McCarthy's contract officially expires on Jan. 14, at which time no permission is required. "Big Mike'' - who is already being touted as a "hot candidate'' elsewhere (thanks in large part to his rep Don Yee) will be a free agent.
So there is a timetable. Period.
Meanwhile ... When told there are reports that as many as four NFL teams could be interested in hiring McCarthy if he becomes available next offseason, Jones responded:
"I feel good about Mike McCarthy. I like the job that he's done. It's unfortunate ... the year that we've had. But I feel good about him. You learn a lot about people in adversity and in trying times."
In 10 seasons, Garrett won only two playoff games. The Cowboys finished their 2019 season on Jan. 3 and announced on Jan. 5 he would not be retained. McCarthy was hired Jan. 8, and has won one playoff game in his five seasons.
"I don't have any comment, other than fans' sentiment is showing that Mike's certainly got the kind of coaching background and success to make him a very qualified coach in the NFL," Jones said. "All of that's there. But here today I'm giving no indications one way or another."
Jones has repeatedly lamented his premature firings of former Cowboys head coaches Chan Gailey and Wade Phillips. On Tuesday he was asked if he ever regretted allowing a coach to stay on too long.
Said Jones flatly, "No."
Members of McCarthy's staff - especially defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer - were reflective and almost tearful in year-end press conferences Monday at The Star that felt like farewells. But Jones is already selling the benefits of continuity and why 2025 with the same core of coaches and players could be successful.
"We'll have a more seasoned and more talented offensive line," he said. "We'll have Dak Prescott back, and we'll have CeeDee Lamb. Those are guys we've made big investments in. And we'll have a lot of our injured players back on defense. We have every reason to think we'll be successful. We have the nucleus of a team that can compete ...
"This year has been a surprise," Jones said. "Let's kick this 2024 out, and be happy we're sitting on the edge of 2025."
That's fine. But Jerry doesn't have all of 2025 to decide. He's got, in one sense, until January 14.
