As we prepare for the home stretch of the Dallas Cowboys’ regular season, it’s a good time to address questions you may have about the happenings of the 2024 squad. There were plenty of good ones submitted, and you can still add yours for consideration in a future mailbag post, too. But let’s get right to it, as we discuss Mike McCarthy’s status, results for the remainder of this season and more.
Some questions have been edited for length and clarity.
Have the last few weeks “saved” McCarthy’s job or does he have more work to do? I have a feeling in my gut Jerry Jones will let McCarthy get a pass for this year and us Cowboys fans will be stuck with him for another year. — Micah A.
I don’t believe McCarthy’s fate is absolutely sealed yet but I also don’t believe that the results of the past two weeks alone will make any difference for what ultimately happens at the head coach position.
One moment that really stood out to me was when Jones spoke following the Cowboys’ 34-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last month. Cooper Rush completed 13 of 23 pass attempts for a measly 45 yards. Jones was asked if the offense’s struggles said something about what Dak Prescott had been able to do until his injury ended his season.
“Well, what do you mean?” Jones said. “I don’t want to be sarcastic but have you got the same arithmetic I’ve got? We’ve won three games, with Dak. So, I’m just saying, we weren’t playing well with Dak. At all.”
Jones’ answer tells me that he won’t forget about the struggles of McCarthy’s offense, even when he did have a near-complete complement of playmakers. The defense was hammered by injuries throughout the season, and that does impact the offense, but the offense was lackluster in its own right and contributed to the losses piling up.
Another thing that I would point to is the frequency in which Jones has invoked the Cowboys’ blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs last season since it took place. As much as team personnel like to talk about turning the page to a new season, that’s a loss that has clearly lingered in his mind. To this point, I don’t think Jones will evaluate McCarthy based solely off the misfortunes of this season, the way he may have in 2020; the postseason failures of the past three years are data points that will be part of the equation, as well as what takes place this season.
Although unlikely, I do think McCarthy has a path to remaining the head coach in Dallas, but it will take a lot more than a couple of one-possession wins over a team currently hanging on to the final wild-card spot and arguably the worst team in the NFL.
I know it’s the job of coaches and players to believe it ain’t over till the fat lady is singing but do you believe there is actually a chance at the (Cowboys) sneaking into the playoffs? — Benjamin W.
Short answer: No.
The Athletic’s model gives them less than 1 percent chance and NFL.com has them at a 4 percent chance to make the playoffs. The chances are bleak. But you asked the question, so let’s have some fun.
The Cowboys (5-7) host the 4-8 Cincinnati Bengals this week, followed by the 3-9 Carolina Panthers. Both teams are playing decent football but their records are what they are. Then, they play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, currently 6-6. After that is a trip to Philly, in which the Eagles could be in contention for the No. 1 seed but could also be locked in at No. 2 and in a position to rest some starters. The season ends at home against the Washington Commanders, who the Cowboys beat last week.
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Ahead of the Cowboys right now are:
• San Francisco 49ers (5-7): They have lost three straight and still have the Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals on the schedule.
• Rams (6-6): They still play the Buffalo Bills, Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks.
• Cardinals (6-6): They still have the Seahawks and Rams.
• Bucs (6-6): They have a soft schedule but a head-to-head with the Cowboys.
• The Commanders (8-5): They are two games up on Dallas and have the Eagles and Atlanta Falcons, as well as a head-to-head with the Cowboys.
In order for the Cowboys to have a prayer, I think they have to go — at worst — 4-1, and still have some dominos fall their way. If they won six of their last seven games with a backup quarterback, after losing seven of their first 10, it will truly be improbable. Don’t hold your breath.
KaVontae Turpin has 25 receptions for 328 yards and is averaging 36.3 yards on 21 kickoff returns this season. (Andrew Dieb / Imagn Images)
Since having a great kicker on a losing team is like having a great closer on a losing baseball team, what would a team like the Ravens or Packers or even the Lions have given up to get someone like Brandon Aubrey? Or how about a guy like KaVontae Turpin who has a chance to take it to the house every time he touches the ball, either on special teams or offense? — Chris P.
The question was asked relative to the trade deadline, which is necessary context because it’s important to remember that up until a few weeks ago, the talk of the league was how kickers were booming and collectively performing better than ever, especially from long distance. Still, given that Aubrey is currently perhaps the greatest at the position, he could maybe fetch a Day 2 pick, at best, from a 2024 contender lacking at the position.
I don’t think Turpin would have moved the needle, though. Him bursting on the scene is more of a development the last few weeks. Before that, he was a fast player who didn’t show much on tape in special teams because teams wouldn’t kick to him and was a No. 4 receiver on a lackluster depth chart. His stock is rising as a playmaker, but his trade value is irrelevant now, given he’ll be a free agent after the season.
What are your thoughts about the WR room beyond Lamb in 2025? — Gibbs H.
Obviously, you have CeeDee Lamb at the top. I don’t think that Brandin Cooks will be back. He’s been a strong presence in the locker room but the production these past two seasons in Dallas have fallen well short of the expectation. Jalen Tolbert showed encouraging flashes in training camp, and has had a few plays scattered throughout the season, but has shown nothing to where you’d want him to be more than your No. 3 guy. Ryan Flournoy is still raw with potential and Jalen Brooks is a fringe player who has a strong relationship with Prescott, for whatever that’s worth.
I’d like to see a heavier dose of Jonathan Mingo the rest of this season, and not just because I think the season is lost and young players should get the reps. The Cowboys gave a fourth-round pick for Mingo and they need to know where a fair spot is for him to slot on the depth chart in 2025. His trajectory in Carolina wasn’t encouraging, no matter the mess that organization is. I’d love for him to get more opportunities to be involved in the passing game.
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Turpin is interesting because he has a case as the second-best playmaker in the wide receiver room right now but slots in as No. 4. Why? Because he doesn’t have the big contract or draft pedigree? Because that’s just where he was during training camp? Turpin isn’t a conventional talent, so utilizing him requires some creativity from the engineer of the offense, but maximizing the roster is part of that job.
Regardless, I think the Cowboys should explore adding a respectable veteran with something left in the tank. As is the case with any discussion of this sort, things also depend on who the head coach and offensive coordinator are in 2025, which is currently a mystery.
What are the chances that Jerry can see that his prime is in the past, resigns his position as GM and let’s someone younger and better qualified take over? — Hugh T.
I’d give it about the same chance as Jones putting curtains up during afternoon games at AT&T Stadium, which is to say, no chance.
I can’t wrap my head around the management style of the Jones’ boys. In your view, what is the primary cause of the paralysis at the very top of the decision-making process? — Terry C.
Since I’ve discussed this ad nauseam, I’ll keep it simple here: Jerry Jones’ ego.
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(Top photo of Mike McCarthy: Jason Miller / Getty Images)
