The Cowboys may look to drop the Mike during the 2022 season.
The 2022 Dallas Cowboys should be good: They're returning Dak Prescott, still have a pretty good skill position group (despite moving on from Amari Cooper) and have a solid defense.
However, the biggest unknown surrounding the team might be who's calling plays.
Mike McCarthy's job security has pretty much been under the microscope since he put pen to paper in Dallas. Some of that was because of the seemingly acrimonious split between he and Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, while others cast aspersions over just how much of a modern coach he could be.
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With McCarthy entering his third year for the win-now Cowboys, it may end up as a win-later team with a new bench boss at some point in the coming season.
Mike McCarthy might not sit atop the list, but he's certainly near the top of it.
Carolina head coach Matt Rhule could be the first coach to get the axe this season if the Panthers stumble out of the gate, though a new quarterback in Baker Mayfield may earn him a little bit more slack. The Panthers still have a quality defense and are playing in a division that might be a little bit more competitive in 2022, so
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Also nearing the top of the list, somewhat surprisingly, is Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll. Carroll is entering his first Russell Wilson-free season, after the passer was sent off to Denver. Carroll could get the season, though, out of respect of what he's done in Seattle.
McCarthy, though, could rest comfortably near the top of those who may be fired though, if Jerry Jones' transparent preseason threat is any indication.
"Let me be real clear: He wouldn't be sitting here today if I didn't think he was the man to lead this team to a Super Bowl," Jones said at the start of training camp.
He would not be, and I have choices. That's not meant to be insensitive to anybody. That's a fact.
It might not necessarily but what McCarthy does that costs him his job - though, certain decisions during his first two years haven't exactly inspired confidence - but who is available.
Whispers have oftentimes linked now (sort of) free agent head coach Sean Payton to the Cowboys job, as Payton and owner Jerry Jones are good friends. Those whispers have grown so loud that Jones commented on it earlier this offseason.
"Sean Payton shouldn't be out there," Jones said. "For him, the Cowboys, that's just sheer out of the air. It's well known we're good friends and we think a lot of him as a head coach. But in this case, asking the way you're asking, he shouldn't be a conversation piece."
McCarthy has also been aware of the Payton rumors, commenting on them in May.
"It's a narrative I don't want to be a part of," McCarthy said. "I don't think anyone would want to be a part of it, on either side of the fence."
McCarthy also said that he has spoken with Jones about the rumors and the duo paid it no mind.
"He addressed (the Payton rumors), we laughed about it, and moved on. That's really where it is."
A disappointing end to the 2021 NFL season for Dallas lead to some speculation that McCarthy's standing in Dallas is less secure than maybe he'd expected. That's no laughing matter.
This could be the make-or-break year for McCarthy, and if that's the case, don't be surprised if a former Saint comes marching in.