Mike McCarthy Says He'd Leave Cowboys If Players Didn't Support Him Amid Rumors

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy's future is uncertain as his contract nears its end, but it's clear that he hasn't lost the respect of his players.

Despite already being eliminated from the playoffs before their matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football, the Cowboys earned a hard-fought 26-24 upset win to knock the Buccaneers from first place in the NFC South.

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer spoke to McCarthy about the impressive effort level by Dallas in Sunday's win and how it shows that the players have his back, and he revealed that he would step down as head coach if that wasn't the case.

"I mean, absolutely. To be frank with you, if I didn't feel that way, then I would leave," McCarthy said. "Where I am in my career, I'm fortunate enough to be in a place, and a space mentally and emotionally, where I can make that choice. But yeah, if I didn't feel that I was connected [with the players] and putting us in the best position to win, then I would step aside."

The Cowboys sacked Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield four times and forced two turnovers, both of which came in the fourth quarter and sealed the victory.

With McCarthy's contract expiring at the end of the 2024 season, the last two games of the year will go a long way toward making his case to remain in Dallas or earn a head coaching job elsewhere.

The Cowboys (7-8) will be seeking their third straight win when they visit the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles (12-3) on Sunday.