Mike McCarthy doesn’t need the money and, with a Super Bowl on his resume, he’s too old and secure to worry about what others think about his coaching ability.

At this point in his life, McCarthy, 61, wants to be in a position where he can be successful. At least one former Dallas Cowboys head coach believes McCarthy will remain in the job he has occupied since 2020.

“I think he will be the Cowboys coach next year, and he deserves to be the Cowboy coach,” former Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson said on the NFL on Fox pregame show on Sunday morning.

Yeah, but what does Dave Campo think?

Take Jimmy’s prediction for what it’s worth. Jimmy once held that job, decades ago, for the same boss and at this point he’s making an educated guess to fill time between commercials.

Shortly after Jimmy said what he said, the Cowboys were smoked by the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles, 41-7 in Philly. The loss ensures the Cowboys will not finish with a winning record, and showed so many realities for the Cowboys.

Start with the Gulf of Mexico sized gap that exists between the best teams in the NFL and “The Others.” The Cowboys are firmly another franchise.

Considering the smelly bathroom that McCarthy was pushed into last February, that the Cowboys don’t reek of manure is a career achievement. It is easy to make a compelling argument that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones should hand McCarthy a three-year extension.

It is not as easy to say that McCarthy should immediately sign it.

There could be as many as eight NFL head coaching jobs available in the coming weeks, and McCarthy will be a top free agent on a list that will include former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. New North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick would leave Chapel Hill today if an NFL team calls (it won’t).

McCarthy is now accustomed to the quirks that come the NFL’s highest profile head coaching job. Specifically, The Jerry Factor.

Jerry let McCarthy coach on the final year of his contract, and now both have decisions to make. Consider the potential job openings, and weigh them against the Cowboys:

Las Vegas Raiders

The only noteworthy accomplishment owner Mark Davis has since he inherited the team from his father is pulling an end-around on Las Vegas real estate magnate Sheldon Adelson to build a new venue in Vegas.

Since 2000, the Raiders have had 14 head coaches, including the latest candidate for the guillotine: Antonio Pierce.

The roster is not good. The construction of the roster is not good. The quarterback is not good. The access to The Strip is unrivaled.

Better Job: Cowboys

Jacksonville Jaguars

London’s favorite pro football team is expected to fire coach Doug Pederson, who was a big upgrade over family man Urban Meyer.

The team has been owned by Shad Khan since 2010, and the Jags remain near the bottom of NFL franchises. Since 2000, the Jaguars have three 10-win seasons, four playoff appearances, and 17 losing records.

There are some decent signs for the development of the roster, but the big concern for a potential incoming coach is whether former No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence is a legit No. 1 quarterback.

Better Job: Cowboys

Chicago Bears

What should be one of the NFL’s signature franchises remains entrenched in the “Joke” phase. The arrival of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has not done much, and the team canned coach Matt Eberflus after a 4-8 start.

Better Job: Cowboys

Retirement

Better Job: None

New England Patriots

The first year of the post Bill Belichick regime is not going well under first-time coach Jerod Mayo. Entering Sunday, the Patriots are 3-12 and will have a losing record for the third straight year. It would be bold to fire Mayo after just one year.

A plus for this job is owner Robert Kraft, who has been mostly deferential to the GM and head coach. Or at least he was under Belichick. Another plus is rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

Better Job: Short term, Cowboys. Long term, Patriots

New York Giants

Once one of the more stable, and consistent, franchises in the NFL has regressed as the handling of former first round pick Daniel Jones was a mess. This is after they let running back Saquon Barkley walk to Philadelphia for nothing in return.

Head coach Brian Daboll will be fired soon enough. The Giants have two winning seasons since 2013, and haven’t been much since the days of Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin.

The roster is weak, and they don’t have a QB, but they may use their high draft pick on Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders.

Better Job: Cowboys

Tennessee Titans

Firing Mike Vrabel after the 2023 season was mystifying, and the Titans are on pace to have their worst year since 2015. Dumping a first year coach is expensive, but the Titans firing Brian Callahan is on the table.

The Titans had a solid run under Vrabel, but quarterback Will Levis doesn’t look like an answer and the roster has issues.

The Titans are scheduled to open a new stadium in 2027, but seldom does a facility impact how a team is built, or operates.

Better Job: Cowboys

Cleveland Browns

One of the worst sports franchises in North America, the trade for quarterback DeShaun Watson is an all-time disaster deal in the history of any professional sport. Coach Kevin Stenfanski has done the best he can for an organization that has no clue.

The Browns are awful, but Stefanski may get one more season.

Better Job: Cowboys

New York Jets

Owner Woody Johnson makes Jerry Jones not look hands off as much as disinterested. The trade for quarterback Aaron Rodgers has gone about as well as nearly every other move this franchise has made for decades.

Better Job: Cowboys

Mike McCarthy’s Prospects

Stay with the Jerry you know.

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