Examines the league’s hot seats and current vacancies with two weeks remaining in the 2024 regular season

The Cowboys find themselves in an unusual situation, although not unprecedented in Dallas: Head coach Mike McCarthy and most of his assistants all have contracts that expire after the season.

After the 2014 season, Jason Garrett’s contract expired before the Cowboys signed him to a new five-year contract and retained his coordinators. Five years later, Garrett’s contract expired again and after several days in limbo, the team announced it would not keep him.

The big difference between McCarthy and Garrett is that McCarthy — a Super Bowl champion in Green Bay who has a career .612 winning percentage, including a 49-33 mark in Dallas — may have other options as a head coach , if he leaves free agency. with teams that have interviewed him before (Jets) and previous employers (Saints) who already have openings. If another team comes calling, McCarthy is free to explore his options regardless of whether Jones wants him back.

There have been no substantive discussions about an extension for McCarthy in Dallas. But owner Jerry Jones became increasingly effusive in his praise of McCarthy amid a spate of injuries, saying after the team beat the Bucs last week to improve to 7-8: “I can’t tell you how proud I am of this journey.” The Coaching staff led by Mike McCarthy, the way the leadership of this team and the pride in these young players who are developing rapidly mentally and physically makes me believe we have an outstanding future ahead of us.”

According to sources, coordinators Brian Schottenheimer, Mike Zimmer and John Fassel also have expiring contracts. All the more reason for Jones to act decisively as he concludes the season next weekend with a head coach he clearly holds in high regard.