Even though it didn't mean anything for the Dallas Cowboys and they lost in the final seconds, Sunday's finale against the Washington Commanders proved once again that this team is going to fight tooth and nail for Mike McCarthy regardless of the circumstances.
That will bode well for McCarthy during the evaluation process. With McCarthy's contract set to expire on Jan. 14, the Joneses will have eight days starting on Monday to make a decision on the direction of the franchise.
It would behoove everyone if a decision was made before then, but the Joneses have not dropped any hits about which way they are leaning. It is clear that Jerry Jones appreciates how the Cowboys finished the season in spite of injuries and having nothing to play for.
ESPN Adam Schefter's latest scoop backed that notion. Schefter revealed on Sunday NFL Countdown before kickoff that he thinks McCarthy is "safe."
While Schefter is as plugged in as any insider in the business, that doesn't mean anything. The Cowboys could still pull the plug on McCarthy. If they do, it became clear in Sunday's finale that the perfect replacement is already on the coaching staff.
Mike Zimmer might be the perfect Mike McCarthy replacement for the Cowboys
It's unclear if Mike Zimmer would be open to being a head coach again. That will have to be sorted behind the scenes, but he once again had Dallas' defense buzzing on Sunday.
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The Commanders' high-octane offense managed just 65 yards in the first half with Jayden Daniels, the runaway favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year, under center. Daniels was removed in the second half for precautionary reasons. Backup Marcus Mariota ironically led multiple touchdown drives, but Daniels had nothing going against Zimmer.
It was the latest evidence that Zimmer can take this defense to great heights in 2025 with another offseason to sink his teeth in.
Micah Parsons had the most prolific season of his career under Zimmer's tutelage, posting 12.5 sacks in just 13 games. If Parsons played a full season, he would win Defensive Player of the Year in a landslide. That Zimmer has got the best out of Parsons, the team's best overall player, proves he should be in the head coach conversation if McCarthy isn't brought back.
An X's and O's mastermind, Zimmer has Washington's offense figured out. They were discombobulated in the first matchup and could not get anything going Sunday.
Zimmer hunts matchups for Parsons and his exotic blitz package has helped produce career years from Osa Odighizuwa and Chauncey Golston. The likes of Mazi Smith (!), Carl Lawson and Marist Liufau all improved as the season went along, He got contributions up and down the roster even with the injury bug claiming multiple impact players along the way.
Zimmer can be special in year two if the front office gets him a couple additional pieces to atone for injuries and losses in free agency. At the very least, he needs to be back as defensive coordinator, but he should also be in the head coach conversation if there is one to be had.