It appears that Mike McCarthy’s future with the Dallas Cowboys hangs in the balance—but it may not be over just yet!

According to a report by NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, the Cowboys are set to kick off discussions for a new contract with their head coach, Mike McCarthy, this Friday. This development comes amid ongoing dialogues between McCarthy and the organization regarding the upcoming 2024 season.

While conversations about McCarthy’s future have been taking place throughout the week, substantial negotiations have yet to materialize. It's clear that there are significant issues yet to resolve, and time is of the essence. The Cowboys enjoy an exclusive negotiating window with McCarthy that extends through Tuesday, after which he would be free to explore coaching opportunities elsewhere. Speculation is already swirling, as the Chicago Bears recently sought permission to interview McCarthy, only to be denied by Dallas.

Adding to the urgency of the negotiations, McCarthy’s assistant coaches also have contracts set to expire on Tuesday. This ticking clock could jeopardize his efforts to assemble a strong coaching staff going into the next season.

At 61 years old, McCarthy boasts an impressive 49-35 record over his five years with the Cowboys, but his postseason performance leaves something to be desired, with just one win in four playoff appearances. After achieving three consecutive 12-5 finishes, the Cowboys stumbled to a disappointing 7-10 record last season. Throughout his career, McCarthy holds a regular-season record of 174-112-2, along with an 11-11 playoff mark, highlighted by his Super Bowl victory with the Green Bay Packers to conclude the 2010 season.

With the Cowboys facing critical decisions on their coaching staff and overall strategy for next season, fans will be watching closely as the clock ticks down to the deadline for contract negotiations. Will McCarthy continue to lead America’s Team, or is this the end of the line for his tenure in Dallas? Stay tuned for updates!