The stage, and the deadline, is set for the Dallas Cowboys’ decision on Mike McCarthy

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has proven to be a believer in the idea that deadlines make deals. So much so, that he’s seemingly manufactured situations where deadlines weren’t exactly necessary.

Consider the situation of his head coaching position.

This entire Cowboys season has been centered around the question of whether head coach Mike McCarthy would return or not. That’s what happens when a head coach, as well as all of his assistants, enter a season on an expiring contract. It’s something Jones did twice with Jason Garrett, the previous Dallas head coach.

The first time, it resulted with an extension for Garrett on Jan. 13.

This time, the Cowboys, per reports, will have an exclusive negotiating window with McCarthy until Jan. 14, if they choose to pursue that avenue. McCarthy’s contract, as well as the contracts for the other assistants, runs out on Wednesday.

Caught this photo of Mike McCarthy and Brandin Cooks today. They had an extended conversation during practice.

For the first time, both are entering the final game of a season with an expiring contract. pic.twitter.com/3SFOlDeapm

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) January 2, 2025

If another team is interested in interviewing McCarthy for the head coaching position they can request permission from the Cowboys until Jan. 14. After that, McCarthy is a free agent.

According to multiple reports, there will be external head coaching interest from other teams in McCarthy. Requests for interviews for other teams, and the Cowboys response to them, could be telling about the future of McCarthy in Dallas.

Jones appeared on 105.3 The Fan on Friday and was asked about McCarthy’s future and whether Sunday’s season finale against the Commanders could have any impact on his decision.

Jones said no.

“The hays in the barn,” he said, “really, as far as our staff is concerned.”

McCarthy was asked on Friday about negotiations with Jones and the Cowboys.

“We have not had any conversations,” he said.

So what does that mean for the hay in the barn? At this point, that’s hard to tell. Multiple assistant coaches also spoke this week about their situations and insinuated that they, too, were in the dark about whether they would be back or not.

“We’ll just jeep trying to do the best job we can,” Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said about this week. “And then everyone will sit down and have a conversation and [Cowboys owner Jerry Jones] will decide what he decides.”

That decision, per Jones, has probably been made already. Now, there’s at least a deadline for when it’ll be revealed.