The Dallas Cowboys struggle to maintain balance as this season edges towards a bad outcome. After QB Dak Prescott‘s injury earlier in the season, the team suffered back-to-back losses. And in came the flood of blame games. Debates over HC Mike McCarthy‘s future were heating up following a losing streak. But the recent back-to-back wins seem to have cleared the air. At least for a bit! But right when the sun was beginning to shine on a non-controversy-filled day at the NFL, the QB decided to make a supposed dig at GM Jerry Jones. This again started the conversations about McCarthy, and an ex-Cowboys player, too, shared his thoughts on it.

Prescott has had a stellar upwards career under the coaching of McCarthy. So, of course, he went on record and said he wants the HC to return next season after his contract expires. But what the QB said may have been a subtle dig at Jones, thinks Chris Canty. The ex-NFLer feels Prescott was hinting at the HC lacking the authority he should have in his position. “When you have the coach in the background and the owner/GM in the foreground setting the agenda of the entire franchise. That’s not a good thing,” Canty said on Unsportsmanlike.

Canty pointed out Dak’s concerns and said the team might be listening to the owner more than their HC. “What he’s saying is the players in the locker room, just like the media members and just like everybody in the sports field, just like all the fans, are taking their cues from the owner when he does his post-game press conference rather than the head coach addressing the team in the locker room right after a game.” Jones has been known to be the puppet master to the team’s coaches. Maybe McCarthy had a say after his Super Bowl win, but that is not the case anymore. At least, that’s what the QB feels.

Talking about whether McCarthy will be retained after his contract expires in 2025, Prescott said, “I believe in him wholeheartedly… he deserves a chance — another contract and a chance to coach this team amongst more influence. On his terms.” Shade or not, Jones has made his standing clear on the HC. “I’ve never thought for one second that the team had quit recognizing what an outstanding coach he is,” he said amid the speculations over the HC’s future. But the question remains: if McCarthy leaves, will the Cowboys even go near the playoffs next season?

How does the Dallas big picture look without McCarthy?

Ahead of the 2020 season, Dallas signed McCarthy to a five-year deal. This means that 2024 is his last season before the contract expires. Unfortunately, he did not have an extension worked out with the front office. If Dallas wants, they can look for a new head coach coming this offseason. But will it be a wise decision to let the HC go?

As Canty said, “I don’t know too many coaches that would have Mike McCarthy’s resume/ Mike McCarthy’s credibility as a Head coach that won’t have an option other than the Dallas Cowboys where they don’t have to put up with that type of owner” Over four seasons, the HC has a strong 47-32 performance in the regular season. But his 1-3 playoff record has been disappointing.

Well, whether the Cowboys get him next season or not is a question for the future. For now, he needs to make sure they win every single one of their remaining games to have even a slight chance at the playoffs.