Could Mike Zimmer return, but not Mike McCarthy? Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones speaks on it

FRISCO — The Mike McCarthy era with the Dallas Cowboys began with a connection to the previous regime. Assistant coaches aren’t commonly retained from one regime to the next, but that’s what happened when former Cowboys playcaller Kellen Moore stayed on staff after the departure of Jason Garrett.

That relationship between McCarthy and Moore eventually resulted in a mutual parting of ways.

With McCarthy’s future uncertain after this season, is there a scenario where the Cowboys could repeat this process and retain one of their older — but seemingly ascending in reputation — coaches for a new regime? Based on recent developments, it’s a question worth asking.

Mike Zimmer’s first season back in Dallas as defensive coordinator has been interesting one. Earlier this season, the Cowboys looked lost in their new defense, especially in the running game. The likes of the Saints, Lions, Ravens and more ran through them so easily that it looked like the Cowboys were on pace to be a historically bad run defense. Injuries added up, too, at key positions like corner and defensive end, forcing the Cowboys to dig extremely deep into their depth chart.

“Now linebacker,” Zimmer pointed out on Monday. “And we just keep going.”

And improving, too. Especially in the last four weeks. The Cowboys are 3-1 in that stretch. Their only loss came to the Cincinnati Bengals and a Joe Burrow offense that has lit up opposing defenses all season. The Cowboys held them in check.

This past Sunday against Carolina was one of the group’s best performances of the season. The Cowboys held the Panthers to 235 yards and 14 points. They finished with six sacks and forced four turnovers — a type of performance reminiscent of the defense the Cowboys have had the previous few years under former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

That was with a rotation of outside corners in Amani Oruwariye and later Andrew Booth — two guys that weren’t on the team at the start of training camp.

“We just keep finding ways to step up,” said Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons, who finished with two sacks. “Like I said before, we’re going to be in these games. We’ve got to step up defensively, understand what we’re missing offensively and even some guys on our side. We just got to keep stepping up.”

Overall, the Cowboys have the 26th ranked defense this season in terms of EPA per play allowed, according to rbsdm.com. The last four weeks, they rank fifth in the NFL in that category.

That progress — despite the injury problems — under Zimmer, 68, should be noted. That progress also has opened up external discussion about a potential scenario where Zimmer could be back in Dallas for another go even if McCarthy isn’t retained.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was asked on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday about where the futures of both McCarthy and Zimmer are tied together.

“In a way I do,” Jones said. “Especially after the last ball games. I think you’re seeing the best of Mike Zimmer. I should say you’re getting to see some of the best, and maybe the best is still ahead of us. It’s been really impressive [with] the attrition we’ve had and the availability of our players. I give him that.”

Jones then shifted his attention to the other side of that potential tied-together tandem.

“Mike [McCarthy], I don’t know how you cannot say that his team has shown it can handle adversity and that he can get you there with the injury situation impacting the availability of those players. I hate to keep repeating that, but it’s so obvious, and yet, to have that team playing at the level they’re playing. I give both [McCarthy and Zimmer] high grades this year.”

Could that mean both are back in Dallas next season? With no decision yet made on either, it’s a scenario worth watching. But as for a potential repeat of the Moore situation, based on Jones’ comments, it doesn’t appear as likely.