After losing to the Green Bay Packers, there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Dallas Cowboys, most of which revolves around Mike McCarthy‘s future with the franchise.
On Monday, the team had exit interviews with the coaching staff, which is typical after the season ends. Multiple players said Jerry Jones spoke with the team on Monday morning, and his message was that the team needed urgency to win.
The team was already aware of the outside noise of McCarthy’s future ahead of Sunday’s game, but now the possibility is more realistic than before the loss.
Sunday’s loss to the Packers was the Cowboys’ worst scenario that could have McCarthy on the hot seat. It wasn’t the loss that amplified the conversation but the embarrassing fashion in which they lost.
When clearing out their lockers, the players who spoke to the media discussed what McCarthy has meant to them during their tenures with the team.
Players Support Mike McCarthy
KaVontae Turpin said McCarthy is “his guy” and has always given him opportunities.
Turpin worked last season with special teams and had an expanded role in the offense this year with McCarthy calling the plays.
“I just got mad respect for Mike. Whatever he do, he got my blessing,” Turpin said.
Jourdan Lewis has worked with the head coach for the last three years and says McCarthy has one of the hardest jobs in America because of the extra scrutiny of wearing the star.
“I feel like he’s done a tremendous job, all things in consideration,” Lewis said, who discussed McCarthy’s ability to lead the team to three seasons with 12 wins.
He said McCarthy ensured the team stuck together even when the outside noise got louder.
Jourdan Lewis’ Disappointment
Lewis returned this season from a season-ending Lisfranc injury the year before and said he wanted to help his team win.
“I just wanted to help the team win,” Lewis said. “Been here together, all of us, for three years now, and I just wanted to finish it the right way, and it hurts that we didn’t get the chance to do that.”
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The cornerback is one of the team’s many pending free agents whose future with the Cowboys is still unknown.
He says it’s part of the business, but knowing he might not return to the Cowboys next season hurts.
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