In 2020, the Dallas Cowboys hired head coach Mike McCarthy to accomplish what his predecessor, Jason Garrett, had failed to do: win a playoff game.
He has yet to lead a talented team to an NFC title game, let alone a Super Bowl, two benchmarks of success that the organisation has lacked for nearly 28 years.
So worrying about McCarthy's return to the Cowboys meant wondering if Jerry Jones, like many other NFL team owners, would behave rashly.
So worrying about McCarthy's return to the Cowboys meant wondering if Jerry Jones, like many other NFL team owners, would behave rashly.
After all, McCarthy's Cowboys had not only not advanced further in the playoffs than they had in previous 12-5 seasons
but they had also lost a wild-card game at home this year after winning on the road the prior year. According to postseason standards, the team has regressed.
For the second time in three years, the Cowboys were the sole loser among the six wild-card hosts. They lost to McCarthy's former Green Bay Packers, adding insult to injury.
So, to be concerned about the Cowboys replacing McCarthy was to question if Jones thought his brilliance had not peaked. Was raising the floor, as McCarthy had done in the regular season versus Garrett, sufficient? If not, was there a more qualified candidate available?
The outstanding level of coaching talent on the free-agent market has sparked real speculation.
But, in the end, Jerry Jones owns this franchise, and all decisions made by this team must go via him.
The Cowboys' 81-year-old owner and general manager had to decide whether starting over is more likely to secure his team's success —