Cowboys ‘Punish’ McCarthy: Truth of No Contract Extension from Jerry
In a “new report” on the job security of Mike McCarthy, ESPN both regurgitates old news and puts a weirdly positive spin on a Dallas Cowboys decision that by any measure is a “jury-is-out” issue. Following one of the most unexpected and depressing season finales in the Cowboys’ illustrious 64-year history, Jerry Jones, the team’s owner, decided on Wednesday night to keep McCarthy as head coach. As we noted that evening:
“By deciding to retain his head coach and make him work next season with no job security and on the final year his contract, Jones essentially is making McCarthy … coach the Cowboys as a lame duck.”
We were told that. We told you that. But four days later, we’ve got Adam Schefter of ESPN telling you he’s got “sources” saying it. We will say this: Four days late, Schefter’s “sources” are correct.
Related content Meanwhile, we quoted directly Jones explaining his decision: “I believe this team is very close and capable of achieving our ultimate goals and the best step forward for us will be with Mike McCarthy as our head coach. There is great benefit to continuing the team’s progress under Mike’s leadership as our head coach. … I am 100-percent supportive of him as our head coach and ability to reach our goals.”
And that’s it. This is “punishment” for Jones since we know that prior to the heartbreaking loss to Green Bay, Jones intended to offer McCarthy a contract extension, and we also know that the loss stifled that planned offer.
ESPN is attempting to spin it in a different direction, according to Schefter, who notes that Jones believes that “the final year of a contract can often bring out the best in people.” It is accurate. McCarthy, though, isn’t a helpless victim since it works in his favor. An extension would be a prize that he did not deserve, thus he is not receiving one.
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