Jerry Jones claims he’s “all in!” for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. But come 2025?
Given a chance to shut down the Bill-Belichick-to-the-Cowboys rumors, the owner on Tuesday night instead left the door wide open.
“I know him personally and I like him,” Jones told reporters while watching Senior Bowl practice in Mobile, Alabama. “There’s no doubt in my mind we could work together. None. None.”
In bringing Mike McCarthy back for a lame-duck season in 2024 – he’ll be coaching on the final year of his contract – Jones has already publicly stated that he is “100 percent supportive” of his head coach. And Belichick – who parted ways with the New England Patriots Jan. 11 after an unprecedented quarter-century of success – is likely to sit out next season, perhaps doing TV, while waiting for job openings in 2025.
But because of Jones’ teasing and foaming at the mouth by fans and media for a marriage between America’s Team and the NFL’s winningest coach, each Cowboys loss next season will likely amplify Belichick’s shadow. McCarthy now finds himself precariously not only without the security of a future contract, but also with a legend looming over his shoulder and atop his boss’ wish list of replacements.
Jones went out of his way to praise McCarthy again Tuesday. But he also refused to give a definitive “no” on the 71-year-old Belichick one day coaching the Cowboys.
Related: ‘We’re All In!’ Jerry Reveals Cowboys Plan
“We all know that he’s certainly excellent, maybe at the top of his profession,” Jones said of Belichick. “To say that any one person automatically assures you a Super Bowl is ridiculous. That’s too high of an expectation for him. But is he maybe the greatest pro football coach of all time? Could very well be.
“He is a friend and I like him and I want to make it real clear: I wouldn’t have any problem working with him.”
As if the Cowboys and McCarthy needed any more pressure next season, their owner is already applying it.
