Stephen A. Smith: Jerry Jones is ‘lying’ about HC Mike McCarthy’s job status
On Wednesday, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith said, “(Cowboys owner Jerry Jones) is lying to the citizens of Dallas” about Mike McCarthy’s job security after Jones dismissed hot-seat rumors in a Tuesday interview with KRLD-FM in Dallas.
When KRLD-FM asked Jones if a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round would impact McCarthy’s job status, he passionately said, “No. I’ve got a lot more to evaluate Mike McCarthy on than this playoff game.”
While Jones did seem to stick up for the Dallas HC, Jones suddenly changing his mind isn’t out of character, especially after a lack of postseason success.
Jones fired former Dallas HC Chan Gailey after back-to-back first-round playoff exits in 1998 and 1999. He also fired Pro Hall of Famer Bill Parcells after a disastrous first-round loss to Seattle in 2006.
The Cowboys have only won four playoff games after they captured their fifth title 27 years ago, but this year’s team can end Dallas’ playoff woes since it has seven Pro Bowlers, tied for the second most in the league with Kansas City.
Although it’s an opportunity for McCarthy to become one of Dallas’ more successful HCs in recent memory, it places tremendous pressure on him.
“If Mike McCarthy loses this game, he’s going to be out of the job,” Smith said.
It’s rash to say that Jones will fire McCarthy if he loses to the Buccaneers on Jan. 16, yet the game could change the course of his tenure.
