Cowboys' Jerry Jones Gives Mike McCarthy, Mike Zimmer 'High Grades' for 2024 Season

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is the kind of teacher who clearly would've judged his students on a curve.

During his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday (via Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein), Jones said he'd give head coach Mike McCarthy and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer "high grades" for their work during the 2024 NFL season:

Luck has certainly turned against the Cowboys this year. Four of their eight losses have been by one score, and they've lost some key players to injuries. The season-ending hamstring injury to quarterback Dak Prescott was particularly devastating.

But Jones' assessment of McCarthy and Zimmer probably isn't one that's shared by a lot of fans.

It's not as though the Cowboys were flying before Prescott got hurt. They were 3-5 and slipping out of the NFC playoff race already.

Dallas' recent turnaround may not be all that instructive, either. Its three wins over the last four weeks came against the Washington Commanders, New York Giants and Carolina Panthers. The Commanders have cooled off a bit—their loss to the Cowboys extended their losing streak to three games—while the Giants and Panthers are a combined 5-23.

With McCarthy in particular, it's hard to extend him the benefit of the doubt.

The Cowboys are on track to miss the playoffs for the second time in his five years at the helm. In their three playoff trips, they failed to advance past the divisional round. What's the evidence pointing to change for the better if he were granted a sixth season or longer?

Jones' comments nonetheless will strengthen the perception McCarthy, who's in the final year of his contract, could return in 2025 if Dallas finishes strong.

"Around the league, speculation is swirling about McCarthy's future, including from those looking for a chance to be the head coach of the Cowboys," The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported last Saturday. "Many believe the team's performance in these final games will be critical, with some executives believing Dallas might stick with their 'lame duck' coach if they see enough progress and the locker room support the coach has received continues."

On Tuesday, Jones certainly didn't sound like a team owner who wants to shake up his coaching staff.