Jerry Jones lauds Cowboys’ coaching staff after wild win over Buccaneers amid Mike McCarthy speculation
Jerry Jones was picking up what coach Mike McCarthy was putting down on “Sunday Night Football.”
After a surprising win against the Buccaneers, Jones went to the locker room and celebrated with the team, including pounding his fist on McCarthy’s chest before talking with reporters.
“Those guys came out and played as though they were fighting in the championship game to go to the Super Bowl,” Jones said after the game, according to Ed Werder. “So, I can’t tell you how proud I am of them and the coaching staff. It really shows me something.”
He added: “I’m just proud that they got rewarded and the team is playing at that level because he’s got him coached up to play at that level even though you realize you’re not in those playoffs and you can’t get to the big one. He’s got this team … that’s as good of an emotional performance, an effort performance, as I’ve seen.”
Jerry Jones and Mike McCarthy in the locker room after tonight’s win pic.twitter.com/zPfti4P31i— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 23, 2024
Jerry Jones (l) and Mike McCarthy (r) celebrate the win over the Buccaneers on Dec. 22, 2024. @jonmachota/X
Things could still change with two weeks left in the regular season, but McCarthy certainly is doing what he can to improve his chances of staying with the franchise.
Dallas was eliminated from playoff contention Sunday but still played one of its best games of the season, with NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth calling it “one of the best games out of a secondary I’ve ever seen… Absolutely unbelievable.”
Mike McCarthy has the Cowboys still competing late in the season. AP
The Cowboys are 7-8 but dealt with some serious injuries this season.
They have been without Dak Prescott since Week 9 and do-it-all defensive lineman Micah Parsons missed four games early in the season.
Jerry Jones was proud of his team’s Week 16 win over the Buccaneers. Getty Images
The expectation has been that McCarthy could be on his way out amid the team’s struggles and that he entered the final year of his contract as a lame duck.
After the Cowboys were waxed by the Lions 42-9 at home in OCtober, Jones got a little testy after he was asked whether he was planning on firing McCarthy going into the bye week.
“Oh, I haven’t even considered that, I’m not considering that so you’re clear, I’m not considering that,” Jones said. “Do you think I’m an idiot? Do you? OK? Well, I’m not gonna hypothetical with you about what I consider coaching change in light of the timing we’re sitting here with; I’m not at all.”
The Cowboys end their season on the road against the Eagles and then at home versus the Commanders.
