Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on Bill Belichick: ‘There’s No Doubt In My Mind I Could Work With Him.’ In an astonishing statement
The Dallas Cowboys have retained Mike McCarthy as their head coach through 2024, but his future is uncertain beyond next year.
Jones recently declined to extend his head coach’s contract, but commended McCarthy’s contributions to the Cowboys’ offence, which led the league in scoring and was fifth in yardage. Dak Prescott was chosen to the All-Pro second team after leading the league in touchdowns (36) and ranking second in passer rating, with a 105.9, his best record in eight years in the league.
“His work with Dak, his work in the offence was really good,” Jones said of McCarthy. “I believe, as does he, that there is much more that can be done to improve Dak’s performance.
“Best way to get the meat that’s on the bone is continuity.”
However, the Dallas Cowboys owner has been linked to Bill Belicick, who figures to be out of coaching in the NFL by 2024. If McCarthy doesn’t bring Dallas over the hump next season, the 6-time Super Bowl winning coach might be next in line.
According to a recent Yahoo article by Jori Epstein, Jerry Jones appeared to be well aware of the narratives that his desire for power and control could conflict with the vast personnel control Belichick seeks, a level of control that, according to Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson, derailed his candidature for the Atlanta Falcons’ head-coaching job.
This cycle, none of the other six teams interviewed Belichick for open positions. Four positions have been filled, but the top spots for the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks remain vacant.
Collaborative coaches who work with rather than above personnel professionals have dominated this cycle’s hirings. Multiple front-office executives told Yahoo Sports on Tuesday at Senior Bowl practices that front offices would continue to grow around the league as the possibilities for integrating analytics and technology grows.
Less than two weeks after Jones announced that Mike McCarthy would continue for a fifth season following an ugly first-round playoff exit, Jones spoke openly about the possibility of someday hiring Belichick.
Jerry Jones Could Hire Bill Belichick If Mike McCarthy Can’t Get Dallas Cowboys Over Hump In 2024
With McCarthy seemingly on the hot seat for 2024 — and a belief that nothing short of a trip to the NFC Championship will secure his job — Epstein persuaded the Cowboys owner to talk about Belichick maybe coming to Dallas.
But, when he reflected on the status of his squad from the Cowboys’ designated suite overlooking Senior Bowl workouts on Tuesday, Jones gradually connected the dots.
The question on which he eventually changed his mind was not about Belichick’s candidature or his suitability with the Cowboys.
Yahoo Sports asked Jones what aspects of Belichick he admired in general. Jones’ comments rapidly deviated from Belichick’s merits.
“I know him personally, and I like him,” Jones explained. “I have no doubt that we could work together. None. None.”
As previously stated, Bill Belichick has often lauded Jerry and Stephen Jones for the organisation they have created and the talent they have assembled with the Dallas Cowboys. And Belichick remains available to anyone who wants to employ him.
Jerry Jones understands that signing Belichick does not guarantee a Super Bowl win. However, Jones understands that he could do a lot worse than the coach who has won six of them.
“We all know that he’s certainly excellent, maybe at the top of his profession,” Jones went on to say. “To claim that any one person guarantees you a Super Bowl is ludicrous. That is too great an expectation for him. But is he perhaps the greatest professional football coach of all time? Could be.
“He is a friend and I like him and I want to make real clear: I wouldn’t have any problem working with him.”
Jerry Jones appears to be leaving the door open for Bill Belichick to coach the Dallas Cowboys if McCarthy’s performance falters next season.
