The Dallas Cowboys are sticking with Mike McCarthy as their head coach for 2024, but his future isn’t guaranteed beyond next year.

Jones recently declined to extend his head coach, but praised McCarthy’s role in the Cowboys’ offense that led the league in scoring and ranked fifth in yardage. Dak Prescott was named to the All-Pro second team, as he led the league in touchdowns (36) and ranked second in passer rating, his 105.9 the best mark in his eight years as a pro.

“His work with Dak, his work in the offense was really good,” Jones said of McCarthy. “I feel and he feels, we all feel, that there’s notable more to do improving with Dak.

“Best way to get the meat that’s on the bone is continuity.”

Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones, Bill Belichick

But the Dallas Cowboys owner has been linked to Bill Belicick, who appears will be out of coaching in the NFL in 2024. If McCarthy doesn’t get Dallas over the hump next season, the 6-time Super Bowl winning coach could be next in line.

According to a recent piece by Jori Epstein of Yahoo, Jerry Jones seemed well aware of the narratives that his desire for power and control could conflict with the vast personnel control Belichick seeks, a level of control that, Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson reported, derailed his candidacy for the Atlanta Falcons’ head-coaching role.

None of six other teams interviewed Belichick for their openings this cycle. Four jobs have been filled, while the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks’ top spots remain open.

Collaborative coaches who work with, rather than above, personnel staff have dominated this cycle’s hirings. Multiple front-office executives told Yahoo Sports on Tuesday at Senior Bowl practices that front offices will only continue to expand across the league as the potential for integrating analytics and technology explodes.

Less than two weeks after Jones issued a statement indicating that Mike McCarthy will return for a fifth season after an embarrassing first-round exit from the playoffs, Jones spoke openly about the prospect of eventually employing Belichick.

Jerry Jones Could Hire Bill Belichick If Mike McCarthy Can’t Get Dallas Cowboys Over Hump In 2024

Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones, Bill Belichick

With McCarthy seemingly on the hot seat for 2024 — and a feeling like noting short of a trip to the NFC Championship will secure his job — Epstein got the Cowboys owner to open up about Belichick possibly coming to Dallas.

But as he considered the state of his team from the Cowboys’ designated suite overlooking Senior Bowl practices on Tuesday, Jones eventually connected the dots.

The question on which he ultimately changed his tune was not about Belichick’s candidacy nor his compatibility with the Cowboys.

Yahoo Sports asked Jones what he respected generally about Belichick. Jones’ response quickly veered away from Belichick’s merits.

“I know him personally and I like him,” Jones said. “There’s no doubt in my mind we could work together. None. None.”

As previously noted, Bill Belichick has repeatedly praised Jerry and Stephen Jones for the organization they’ve built and the talent they amassed with the Dallas Cowboys. And Belichick continues to be available to anyone who wishes to hire him.

Bill Belichick, Dallas Cowboys Jerry JonesEzoic

Jerry Jones knows that hiring Belichick wouldn’t guarantee a Super Bowl win. But Jones also knows he could do a lot worse than the coach who has won six of them.

“We all know that he’s certainly excellent, maybe at the top of his profession,” Jones said. “To say that any one person automatically assures you a Super Bowl is ridiculous. That’s too high [an] expectation for him. But is he maybe the greatest pro football coach of all time? Could very well be.

“He is a friend and I like him and I want to make real clear: I wouldn’t have any problem working with him.”

It certainly sounds like Jerry Jones is keeping the door open for Bill Belichick to coach the Dallas Cowboys if things go south with McCarthy next season.