The stakes are high, folks. Place your bets.

Mike McCarthy is entering the final year of his contract as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, often referred to as the “lame-duck year.” Just a few months ago, it seemed uncertain whether he would still be in charge by now.

McCarthy managed to keep his position after enduring a devastating playoff defeat, noted as one of the worst in the team’s history, notably at the hands of his former squad, the Green Bay Packers. He now has one last opportunity to secure a significant victory.

As the Cowboys gear up for their season opener against the Cleveland Browns on September 8, McCarthy finds himself under intense scrutiny, facing the most pressure in the NFL.

He isn’t alone, however. Quarterback Dak Prescott is also in the final year of his contract, but unlike McCarthy, team owner Jerry Jones has been vocal about keeping Prescott on the team, especially since they recently extended star receiver CeeDee Lamb’s contract for four more years at $136 million.

For McCarthy, there’s no reassurance from Jerry.

It’s all or nothing…with no safety net.

He’s going to need a thick skin, focus, and the ability to tune out distractions.

“It’s wild, but the head coach and the quarterback of the Cowboys are under more scrutiny than anyone else in the NFL,” said Tony Dungy, Hall of Fame coach and NBC analyst, to YSL News Sports. “That’s the reality. Yet, I don’t believe they let it bother them.”

Dungy knows what McCarthy is going through. After he turned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from a struggling team into a contender, he faced rumors about his job security after another playoff disappointment, culminating in his firing. The Bucs went on to hire Jon Gruden, who led them to a Super Bowl win in 2002.

<p“I experienced that back in 2001,” Dungy recalled. “You hear the gossip. My agent would say, ‘They’re interviewing this guy, here’s the scoop.’ Media coverage intensified. But all that disappears when you realize you’ve got a strong team. It’s about whether you’ll perform at a high level every week. The pressure revolves around winning, regardless of external noise.”

Nevertheless, Dungy recognizes that the scrutiny surrounding McCarthy is notably more intense. The Cowboys haven’t won a Super Bowl since the 1995 season and haven’t even made it to the NFC Championship Game during that time. Despite this, they still rank among the NFL’s biggest attractions and the most valuable franchise in the league.

This adds to the pressure, especially with the Cowboys scheduled for the maximum six prime-time games this season.

<p“It’s a larger spotlight on them nationally,” Dungy noted. “No one in Los Angeles was concerned about my situation back then. The Cowboys are a national story. Wherever you go, it’s prevalent. But for McCarthy, it’s crucial to stay focused.”

McCarthy, now 60, has led the Cowboys to 12-5 records in the last three regular seasons and secured two NFC East titles. This success has generated high expectations for him to maximize the talents within his squad. Since 2021, the Cowboys’ 36 regular-season victories rank second only to the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs (37). That’s why Jones has said the team is “close to scoring.”

However, their playoff performance has been disappointing, with a record of 1-3 under McCarthy, including two losses at home in playoff openers.

So, where do they stand now? This week has shown some promise, especially with the return of Lamb, who topped the league with 135 receptions in 2023 and adds invaluable versatility necessary for implementing McCarthy’s strategies effectively. Additionally, the Cowboys have signed two seasoned players who could make a significant impact if they return to form: running back Dalvin Cook and defensive tackle Linval Joseph, the latter weighing in at 323 pounds, who could strengthen the defensive front for coordinator Mike Zimmer.

They are all in… potentially aiming for big wins once more.

Nonetheless, the pressure of the lame-duck narrative constantly looms. Even though McCarthy has secured a prominent agent in Don Yee, known for representing coaches like Sean Payton and Jim Harbaugh, it’s uncertain what leverage he possesses with the Cowboys.

In March, Jerry Jones stated that it wasn’t a “foregone conclusion” that McCarthy would not have his contract extended before the season began, but that possibility now seems unlikely. Yee did have a short meeting with Stephen Jones, the Cowboys’ second-in-command for football operations, though he has yet to meet with Jerry Jones.

Having brought on eight coaches since Tom Landry’s tenure ended in the “Saturday Night Massacre” during the sale of the franchise in 1989, Jones appears comfortable with having a coach in their final contract year. He has done so before and may see it as a way to drive motivation.

During a conversation with YSL News Sports in March, Jones expressed concern about the “dead money” tied to severance payments of terminated coaches, indicating it’s becoming a pressing issue in the league.

When discussing contract extensions, it’s important to recognize that many individuals in America don’t have guaranteed futures. My stance is that it’s common for many to face uncertainties.

In light of this, Prescott’s upcoming contract – potentially in the ballpark of $60 million annually – is becoming a focal point. Recently, Jones shared with Clarence Hill from ALLDLLS.com that he believes Prescott’s new deal (currently under a four-year, $160 million contract) doesn’t need to be finalized before the regular season kicks off. He also mentioned the possibility of continuing discussions with Prescott throughout the season.

Prescott is indeed a significant partner for McCarthy. Their relationship has deepened since McCarthy began calling plays last season, leading to one of Prescott’s best seasons in his eight-year tenure—culminating in 36 touchdown passes, the highest in the NFL, and a second-place finish in MVP voting, which was awarded to Lamar Jackson.

They also share the burden of playoff disappointments, highlighted by Prescott’s 2-5 postseason record and the surrounding narratives.

Dungy, who guided the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl victory in the 2006 season following several playoff hurdles, understands McCarthy’s mindset as another season approaches.

“Don’t concern yourself with public opinions or media speculation,” Dungy advised. “None of that is important. While many assume coaches are affected by what is said in the media—like ‘McCarthy is under pressure’ or ‘What’s Jerry saying today?’—the key is focusing on how to improve and win the next game. You’re likely to be surprised by outcomes, even if everyone expects otherwise.”

Dungy also empathizes with assistant coaches who are also in the final year of their contracts. During his tenure in Tampa in the early 2000s, he was able to negotiate an additional year for most of his coaching staff, which created a tricky situation when he was fast-tracked to the Colts.

McCarthy has expressed that he does not perceive added pressure, acknowledging that job uncertainty is part of the coaching landscape in the NFL. He has encouraged his younger coaches to adopt a certain mindset.

As he phrased it, “You need to have confidence in yourself.”