Mike McCarthy is the Dallas Cowboys head coach, but depending on how the season starts next year, things could change quickly.
And with Bill Belichick possibly still on the coaching market during the 2024 season, his availability is sure to hang over what occurs early on with the Cowboys.
While owner Jerry Jones said he never talked to any coaching candidates after the Cowboys’ season came to a disappointing end, he made one thing clear this week: He and Belichick can work together.
“I know [Belichick] personally and I like him,” Jones said on Tuesday, according to Yahoo Sports. “There’s no doubt in my mind we could work together. None. None.”
Jones was clearly aware of the prevailing thought for one roadblock that could keep Belichick out of Dallas.
The Cowboys owner is known for his proclivity for power on the football side of the organization, which Belichick is also known to desire.
But Jones wanted to make sure it was clear that he could work with one of the game’s greatest coaches.
“We all know that he’s certainly excellent, maybe at the top of his profession,” Jones said. “To say that any one person automatically assures you a Super Bowl is ridiculous. That’s too high [an] expectation for him. But is he maybe the greatest pro football coach of all time? Could very well be.
“He is a friend and I like him and I want to make real clear: I wouldn’t have any problem working with him.”
McCarthy has the support of Jones after his third consecutive 12-win season ended in another quick playoff exit.
The Cowboys owner praised the work that McCarthy had done with franchise quarterback Dak Prescott, who led the league in touchdown passes this season and had a career-best passer rating of 105.9.
“His work with Dak, his work in the offense was really good,” Jones said. “I feel and he feels, we all feel, that there’s notable more to do improving with Dak. Best way to get the meat that’s on the bone is continuity.”
For now, McCarthy is the Cowboys coach, but Jones is making sure to put one very interesting narrative to bed.