Aug 11, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy on the sidelines against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
It is “a challenge,” as Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said earlier this summer, to play through a “lame-duck” year when in the final season of a contract.
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated’s NFL insider Albert Breer, McCarthy addressed contract issues that impact both himself and the team’s players, once again not skirting the subject.McCarthy clarified, “We all have contracts, and it happens.” Early in my head coaching tenure (I was with the Green Bay Packers from 2006 through a large portion of the 2018 season), I just understood this: if you put any more effort into it, you are probably spending time worrying about things that you can not control. as you have no control over it. I have never truly strayed from it. What I have seen is that many who are dealing with contract difficulties seem somewhat regretful about it. There is a reason you are in this position. The employee and the employer are the parties to it.
CeeDee Lamb, a wide receiver, was taken care of by Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones, who last month signed Lamb to a four-year, $136 million contract. But before the Labor Day weekend, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who is still in the last year of his deal, appeared to take a jab at Jones.
Although some analysts are certain that Jones would bench Prescott before or during the forthcoming regular season, there is little indication that the outspoken owner will give McCarthy a contract extension while the Cowboys are still being connected to reports involving former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. The Cowboys were ranked fourth among the betting favorites at +700 odds to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIX as of late Monday morning, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
McCarthy continued, “It is part of our everyday business,” to Breer. “Having gone through it 17, 18 years ago, you realize that this is all just a part of the journey.” In actuality, you have to understand what the other players are up to.”
As the Cowboys get ready to meet the Cleveland Browns in the opening game of the 2024 season this coming Sunday, they will try to block out outside chatter about the organization’s future. Having said that, if Dallas starts the season winless, McCarthy might start to feel the fire as early as next week.
