Troy Aikman throws full weight behind Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy
Despite missing quarterback Dak Prescott and a slew of starters, Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys pulled off a surprise 34-26 win over the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on Sunday. As exhilarating as the victory was, it was their first after five straight losses and did little to improve their odds of earning a playoff berth.
The 4-7 Cowboys, who will be without Prescott for the rest of the season, can chalk the season off as a massive disappointment. While the front office, especially owner and general manager Jerry Jones, has taken the brunt of the blame for the dismal campaign, McCarthy has also gotten his fair share of criticism.
The veteran coach's contract with the Cowboys expires at the end of the season, but the franchise is yet to offer him a new deal, suggesting he could leave in the offseason. However, three-time Super Bowl champion and franchise icon Troy Aikman has hinted that he'd like to see McCarthy continue as the Cowboys coach.
During the Monday Night Football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens, Aaikman threw his support behind the much-maligned coach.
“You’ve heard me say it before, but Mike McCarthy is a hell of a football coach.” - Troy Aikman on commentary during MNF
Mike McCarthy's record as Cowboys coach
The Cowboys hired Mike McCarthy in 2020, hoping that the Super Bowl-winning coach would help end the franchise's long wait for a championship win. His first season with the team was disappointing, as they finished 6-10 and missed the playoffs.
In 2021, they improved to 12-5 and won the NFC East division title. However, their playoff journey lasted only one game, as the San Francisco 49ers beat them 23-17 at the AT&T Stadium to eliminate the Cowboys.
In 2022, they finished 12-5 again but lost the division title race to the 14-3 Philadelphia Eagles. They registered a comfortable 31-14 win over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road in their playoff opener to advance to the divisional round for the first time in four years. It marked Brady's final game in the NFL.
The Cowboys believed they finally had the chance to end their Super Bowl drought. But for the second year running, the 49ers eliminated them from the playoffs with a 19-12 win at Levi's Stadium.
Last season, Mike McCarthy led the Cowboys to a 12-5 record for the third year running and their second division title in three years. They hosted their coach's former team, the Green Bay Packers, at the AT&T Stadium and were the favorites to win. However, Jordan Love and Co. handed the home team a 48-32 loss, the most deflating defeat of the McCarthy era in Dallas.
They seemingly never recovered from that loss, as 11 games into the 2024 season, they are 4-7 and expected to miss the playoffs. McCarthy's regular season record as the Cowboys coach stands at 46-32. However, his playoff record is 1-3, a disappointing return.
Jerry Jones has made it clear that he has no intention of parting ways with Mike McCarthy before the season ends. However, once it's done, so will his tenure in Dallas.