The ongoing speculation surrounding Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy’s job has now expanded to include the possibility of pursuing Bill Belichick, the Super Bowl-winning coach currently facing uncertainty with the New England Patriots.
Amid rumors of the Patriots potentially parting ways with Belichick, there’s speculation that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones might express interest in acquiring the accomplished coach.
NFL analyst Gary Myers recently suggested a connection between Jones and Belichick, proposing a scenario where the Patriots might trade Belichick rather than firing him.
"If Bill Belichick gets fired or resigns after this year or in the future, the 'Patriot Way' dies with him."
—@RGIII pic.twitter.com/J7yqjbOC1v
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) November 7, 2023
Myers pointed out issues in Belichick’s tenure with the Patriots, emphasizing personnel-related challenges, while highlighting the Cowboys’ strong personnel department and the historical importance of draft day ties not favoring the coach.
Jerry Jones says Bill Belichick found him at a ski resort in the ’90s after he’d been fired from the Browns.
Belichick told Jones, “I can coach…don’t forget about me.”
Cowboys owner has “thought about that many times” since 🤯
(via @1053thefan | @brgridiron) pic.twitter.com/Urdu38MIh2
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 20, 2019
Despite McCarthy’s success in achieving back-to-back 12-win seasons in Dallas, concerns arise due to his limited postseason victories, prompting discussions about Jones being proactive if the Cowboys face another early exit. However, ESPN’s Ed Werder deems the likelihood of Jones wanting to pay Belichick’s salary and orchestrating a trade as a long shot, citing Jones’ historical reluctance to pay head coaches top-of-market salaries and his apparent admiration for defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
Recent Patriots rumors suggest that Belichick is on the hot seat, with potential changes looming after Week 10, especially if the Patriots lose a crucial matchup against the Colts. While the possibility of Belichick’s departure is discussed, the article also contemplates whether Jones might consider promoting Dan Quinn as the head coach if the Cowboys underperform in the playoffs.
Jones’ public support for McCarthy this season contrasts with previous offseasons’ speculations about McCarthy’s future. Despite disappointing losses, Jones has been notably complimentary of McCarthy, raising questions about the potential for an internal promotion if a coaching change were to happen.
There’s historical context to the Cowboys-Belichick connection, as Jones revealed in 2019 that Belichick approached him in the 1990s about a coaching job. The article notes that Jones has consistently praised Belichick over the years and recalls a past encounter where Belichick urged Jones not to forget about him if there were future coaching opportunities.
The rarity of NFL trades involving coaches is acknowledged, with the article referencing the Denver Broncos’ successful trade for Sean Payton last offseason. While Jones passed on the Payton opportunity, the article concludes by suggesting that if the Cowboys face another early postseason exit, speculation surrounding McCarthy’s job will intensify, and the possibility of pursuing Belichick might become a focal point for Jones.
Leave a Reply