As the leaders of the Dallas Cowboys, head coaches Mike McCarthy and Dak Prescott will be tasked with leading the team through its most high-pressure season in recent memory.
After three consecutive 12-5 seasons, all ending in similar playoff losses, owner Jerry Jones decided to let McCarthy and Prescott compete for the job in 2024. It seems like he's trying.
That's Jones' way of saying “all in.”
However, the journey into 2024 will be anything but smooth, as there is tremendous pressure to lead the organization to its first NFC Championship Game in at least 30 years with a significantly weakened roster.
But past mistakes lead Duck and McCarthy into exactly that.
“McCarthy needs to get the Cowboys to at least the divisional round to have some peace of mind about job security. It's no coincidence that management is keeping Prescott under contract well into 2024.” writes NFL.com. “Everything is at stake and it feels like the boys are still a step or two away from feeling properly prepared for the big campaign ahead.”
With Prescott playing for a new contract (unless a deal is finalized during the season) and McCarthy fighting for his job, the Cowboys will once again be the center of media attention.
October 8, 2023. Santa Clara, California, USA.With Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy (left)
Kyle Terrada-USA TODAY Sports
While this is nothing new in Dallas, some would argue it's an interesting dynamic with both the head coach and franchise quarterback entering the final year of their contracts at the same time. So 2024 will put a new level of pressure on the franchise, unlike anything seen in the past few decades. The rake is already sharpened.
The Cowboys had a glacially slow free agency period, with several starters and rotation players out, with only Eric Kendricks returning. The state of the roster is worse than it was at the end of last season.
The NFL Draft offers one last glimmer of hope that the Cowboys can add players to their roster that could propel the team not only into playoff contention, but also into Super Bowl contention, but that's a pipe dream at this point. It seems like.
There's no tomorrow for McCarthy and Prescott unless they can break a nearly 30-year drought and reach the Super Bowl. That is the 2024 season. The “last dance” of a coach and quarterback who carry the weight of the world on their shoulders.
It's officially gut-check time in Dallas. …and everything is at stake for Prescott and McCarthy.
