NFL Rumors: Conflicting reports emerge about Cowboys head coach plans in 2024

At this point, most Dallas Cowboys fans have come to appreciate the job Mike McCarthy has done. How could they not?

The Cowboys are headed to the playoffs for the third straight year, which hasn't been accomplished since the mid-1990s and it's fair to assume they would've made it in McCarthy's first year in 2020 if not for Dak Prescott's season-ending ankle injury.

McCarthy made a huge gamble in the offseason dismissing offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and installing the Texas Coast offense. The results speak for themselves, as Dallas flaunts the NFL's second-highest-scoring offense and Prescott is playing the best football of his career in McCarthy's offense.

In light of McCarthy's success, insider Ian Rapoport reported the head could get a contract extension after the season. That could hinge on what the Cowboys do in the playoffs, but most fans would be happy to have McCarthy back.

Of course, that won't stop speculation about McCarthy's future. In fact, former Patriots quarterback and current radio broadcaster Scott Zolak believes Bill Belichick will bring his oversized hoodies to the Cowboys sidelines in 2024.

NFL Rumors: Conflicting reports emerge about Mike McCarthy's future, Cowboys' interest in Bill Belichick

While hosting 98.5 The Sports Hub's "Zolak & Bertrand", Zolak said "everybody" he's conversed with believes Belichick will succeed McCarthy.

“To me, it’s starting to shape up Dallas. You see the Dallas swoon starting to begin,” Zolak said, via NESN. “They got their (expletive) kicked by Buffalo two days ago. Buffalo did what they wanted with them. You line it up and you look at them, they got a big offensive line, good running back, marquee quarterback. You got good receivers. You got good cover guys. You got Lawrence Taylor Jr. in No. 11 (Micah Parsons). You got a big defensive line and good safeties."

It's easy to play matchmaker with the Cowboys and Belichick. They have everything the six-time champ would possibly want in his next team. You could make that argument for multiple teams, though, including the LA Chargers.

Furthermore, one bad loss wasn't enough to push Jerry Jones over the edge. In fact, the owner gave McCarthy a big vote of confidence after Dallas was drubbed in Buffalo, saying the coaching staff "got us in this spot to be disappointed" (after the Bills loss) because they've "done such a great job this year."

It's clear Jones recognizes the job McCarthy has done. The Cowboys have become a lock to make the postseason under McCarthy's tutelage. Again, we're talking about a franchise that had seven playoff appearances in 20 years after the 1990s before McCarthy took over in 2020.

It's also no guarantee Belichick leaves the Patriots after this season. NBC Sports Boston's Tom E. Curran reported owner Robert Kraft has already decided to part ways with Belichick, but Ian Rapoport countered to say the team is still mulling Belichick's future.

The Belichick rumors are something to watch, but we tend to side with Jerry Jones over the reports coming out of Boston. There's no reason to speculate about McCarthy's future unless the Cowboys suffer an embarrassing playoff exit.

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