Former Dallas Cowboys star arrested after Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight

NFL reporter addresses Dallas Cowboys rumors of Deion Sanders replacing Mike McCarthy in 2025

coach Mike McCarthy was already on the hot seat before the season-ending Dak Prescott injury. With the franchise signal-caller lost for the year and pressure heating up, it’s now an expectation that McCarthy won’t return in 2025. However, there have been NFL rumors about his replacement.

Dallas is on pace for its first season with double-digit losses since 2020, which also came under McCarthy. It would be the second time in five years that the Cowboys failed to make the playoffs under McCarthy. Even worse, he’d become the first Cowboy coach since Dave Campo with multiple seasons of 10-plus losses.

Related: Dallas Cowboys coaching candidates to replace Mike McCarthy

Deion Sanders coaching record: 11-10 with the Colorado Buffaloes

A Cowboys coaching search won’t begin until the offseason, in part because of how owner Jerry Jones handles operations. As he did with former Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, McCarthy is operating under an expiring contract that ends in January. Just as Dallas did with Garrett, it will announce at the end of the 2024 NFL season that McCarthy won’t be retained.

Once McCarthy’s status is official, Dallas will become part of an NFL coaching carousel that could be especially busy this offseason. While some head-coaching candidates will avoid the Cowboys, given the distractions surrounding the franchise, Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders has been floated as a potential option.

Related: NFL coaching candidates 2025

Regarding the NFL rumors linking Sanders to Dallas, Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated recently reported that he’s not aware of “any seriousness” around the league regarding a potential pairing of Jones and Sanders.

There has been plenty of buzz in recent weeks about the Buffaloes’ coach making the jump to the NFL with quarterback Shedeur Sanders, his son. However, that’s unlikely to happen in Dallas considering a Prescott trade this offseason would leave the Cowboys with a $104.137 million dead cap charge.

If Sanders is going to be an NFL head coach, especially one who is partnered up with his son at quarterback, it’s far more likely to be with the Las Vegas Raiders. As for Dallas, it will likely have to pick from a pool of coaching candidates who are willing to put up with Jones’ antics every week.

NFL Thanksgiving Games: History, traditions and best moments

Thanksgiving Day to sports fans is as much about football as it is about the traditional turkey dinner. From high school football in the morning to watching the afternoon game on TV as dinner starts, this tradition is as old as time. Well, almost as old as time.

The Detroit Lions have played at home on Thanksgiving every year since 1934 — except when games were paused from 1939 to 1944 during World War II. The annual holiday tradition expanded to add a home game for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960s. In 2006, the NFL added a third game with no specific host team to the prime-time window.

The 2024 Thanksgiving Day schedule:

Chicago Bears at Lions: 12:30 p.m. ET, Fox

New York Giants at Cowboys: 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS

Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

Each of these games will have a halftime performance. This year, country artist Shaboozey will perform in Detroit, country artist Lainey Wilson will sing in Dallas and violinist Lindsey Stirling will take the stage in Green Bay.

So why do the Lions and Cowboys always play at home on Thanksgiving? What does the day look like for the coaches, players, families and fans who put their holiday celebrations on pause to take part? And how many thousands of pounds of food is served at the stadium? We asked NFL Nation reporters Todd Archer and Eric Woodyard to explain the history.

We have also laid out the Thanksgiving stats and numbers you should know, and even took a journey back in time to explore the biggest and best moments on the turkey day stage. (Note: This story was originally posted in November 2021 and has been updated for 2024.)

How the Thanksgiving tradition began

The Lions were first up to host games every year: In 1934, Lions owner G.A. Richards scheduled a holiday matchup between the Lions and the Bears. Earlier that year Richards had purchased the Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans football team and moved it to the Motor City, renaming it the Detroit Lions. The defending back-to-back world champion Bears beat the Lions 19-16 in front of 26,000 at the University of Detroit Stadium on Nov. 29, 1934.

Now, nine decades later, Thanksgiving football has become a staple in Detroit, with the Lions going 37-45-2 in the annual holiday classic. — Woodyard

Thirty-two years later, the Cowboys joined as a home team: The Cowboys first played on Thanksgiving in 1966, beating the Cleveland Browns 26-14 at the Cotton Bowl. General manager Tex Schramm wanted more national publicity for the Cowboys — this was before they were known as America’s Team — and thought the holiday game made perfect sense. The NFL was a bit worried, however, and guaranteed the Cowboys a certain amount of gate revenue. A crowd of 80,259 showed up and a tradition was born. The Cowboys have played on every Thanksgiving Day since — except in 1975 and 1977.

Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb shares blunt take on Cooper Rush ahead of Texans showdown

Blunt take from Cowboys wideout CeeDee Lamb.

The Dallas Cowboys‘ season continues to unravel, as they’ve fallen to 3-6 through nine games following their latest setback against the rival Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium this past Sunday.

Frustration within the team was palpable, especially after owner and general manager Jerry Jones gave a sarcastic response to legitimate concerns about the blinding sunlight in his stadium, which cost the Cowboys what appeared to be a sure touchdown.

The receiver in question, CeeDee Lamb, was targeted ten times against the Eagles by quarterback Cooper Rush, but he only amassed 21 receiving yards. Rush is now the starter for the Cowboys following the season-ending injury to starter Dak Prescott.

Ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the in-state rival Houston Texans, Lamb is assuring fans he’s ready to put in the work necessary to correct those numbers and establish a rhythm with Rush, via DallasCowboys.com.

“The work is going to get done,” said Lamb. “And, with me, I take full responsibility in getting in sync with him. We’re going to ride this thing out through the rest of the season, so I have the most confidence in him. I don’t care what happened last week, and last week is last week.”

Lamb also stated that he feels bad about what happened to Prescott, who elected to undergo season-ending surgery to repair his injured hamstring.

“I hate that for him,” said Lamb. “He just had surgery and we pray for his speedy recovery. We’re all thinking about him. But as far as for us, we’ve got to go out there and compete for him as if he is there — as far as the competitive spirit, the leadership and everything he’s expecting. We’ve got to step up.”

The Cowboys and Texans will kick off on Sunday starting at 4:25 PM EST.

The Cowboys are rolling with Cooper Rush after the injury to Dak Prescott

Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

The Cowboys have turned to Rush in the wake of Prescott’s injury, while also bringing back former backup Will Grier to the practice squad.

However, he did land on the Cowboys’ injury report with a neck ailment; however, he’s expected to be able to start on Sunday against the Texans.

Michael Whitaker is an experienced NHL and NFL writer and also covers local Detroit sports for Bally Sports Detroit. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism from Eastern Michigan University.

Will Anderson Jr. Headlines Injury Report Before Texans-Cowboys

The Houston Texans could be without the superstar pass rusher against the Dallas Cowboys.

Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) runs onto the field before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

In this story:

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans are finally getting the return of superstar wide receiver Nico Collins. Having missed his impact since he was injured during a Week 5 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, the offense is glad to have his return.

The Texans have lost two straight games as they dropped to 6-4 on the season. With a coming Monday Night Football contest against the Dallas Cowboys, Collins’ return is coming at a good time.

Leading up to his injury, Collins was the NFL’s leading wide receiver. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans believes his return is going to help everyone offensively.

“Any time you get a starting receiver back and Nico, a guy who’s been, before he was out, he was the top receiver in the league,” Ryans said. “So, I think any time you get him back, it’s going to help everybody.”

While Houston’s offense will see a bump, the defense is missing some key talents before they take on the Cowboys. with the most crucial being Will Anderson Jr., who missed the club’s most recent contest.

Here’s how the Texans’ first injury report looked like ahead of their matchup against the Cowboys.

Did not participate:

DE Will Anderson Jr., ankle

DE Denico Autry, rest

DT Foley Fatukasi, foot

CB Kamari Lassiter, concussion

CB Derek Stingley Jr., hip

Limited participant:

LB Azeez Al-Shaair, knee

WR Nico Collins, hamstring

OT Blake Fisher, concussion

LB Jake Hansen, ankle

RB Dameon Pierce, groin

OT Laremy Tunsil, knee

Report sheds light on Cowboys’ level of interest in Deion Sanders

Deion Sanders has been mentioned as a potential head coach candidate for the Dallas Cowboys should they decide to move on from Mike McCarthy, but it is possible neither side has any interest in making that happen.

Connor Orr of Sports Illustrated published a story on Thursday listing more than two dozen head coach candidates who could draw attention in the upcoming hiring cycle. The reporter said he would not expect many current college coaches to receive significant interest at the NFL level, including Sanders.

While the thought of Sanders coaching the Cowboys is a dream for many football fans, Orr wrote that he has “not been alerted to any seriousness regarding a Deion Sanders and Jerry Jones reunion.”

That is not a surprise. For starters, there is no guarantee that McCarthy will be fired. The 61-year-old’s contract is set to expire after the season, but Jones has been known to stick with head coaches in recent years. Heck, Jason Garrett was the head coach in Dallas for a decade, and it felt like he was on the hot seat the entire time.

Sanders may not want to leave Colorado, either. The Buffaloes are 7-2 and have been on the rise after Sanders’ disappointing first season with the team last year. Sanders has said in the past that he has no desire to coach in the NFL. He had a very brief response this week when a former teammate asked him about the Cowboys rumors.

Jones is 82 and badly wants to win another Super Bowl in his life. Though hiring Sanders would send shockwaves across the sports world, there would be a great deal of risk involved with bringing in a coach who has no prior NFL coaching experience. That is one of many reasons a reunion in Dallas seems farfetched.

Cowboys’ Zack Martin addresses retirement speculation sparked by comments from teammate Micah Parsons

FRISCO, Texas — The first domino that led to Dallas Cowboys three-time All-Pro Micah Parsons deciding to “just eat the fine” and skip NFL-mandated media sessions was Parsons’ attempt to say he cared more about the future of Hall of Fame right guard Zack Martin than head coach Mike McCarthy and his coaching future.

“That’s above my pay grade about if Mike [McCarthy] is coaching against next year,” Parsons said after last Sunday’s loss to the Eagles. “All coaching aside, Mike can leave and go wherever he wants. I kind of feel bad for guys like Zack Martin and guys who might be on their last year on their way out. Because that’s who I wanted to hold the trophy for. You want to win games and do great with those types of legends who put in more time and work than Mike McCarthy ever did. Those are the kind of guys I have so much sympathy and hurt for.”

Martin, whose seven first-team All-Pro selections are tied for the most in NFL history among offensive guards with Hall of Famers Randall McDaniel and John Hannah, is in the final year of his contract in 2024, his 11th NFL season. He is set to turn 34 on Nov. 20, so it’s natural to wonder if this season will be his last. His on-field production has been nothing short of excellent. Martin is a nine-time Pro Bowl choice who has the same number of career holding penalties (seven) as he does first-team All-Pro selections. However, the 2010’s All-Decade Team member has started to show his age across the last three seasons.

“I want to win every week,” Martin said on Thursday when asked about Parsons saying he wants to win for him. “I don’t think if you asked any guy in this locker room they wouldn’t be saying they aren’t trying to win every week. You play for the guys in the locker room, that’s what he [Parsons] was saying, right? You want to play for the guys in the locker room that you go to work with every day. That’s not going to change no matter what the circumstances are.”

Martin’s Pro Football Focus offensive grades have always vacillated between somewhere in the 80s to as high as 94.2 in 2021 at the age of 31. However, they have fallen off a cliff the last three seasons, dropping to 73.3 in 2022 and 70.5 in 2023 and now down to 65.2 this season.

CBS Sports asked Martin about his football future as he plays in the final year of his Cowboys contract.

“I’m just taking it one week at a time, my guy,” Martin said.

Despite playing through a nagging shoulder injury, he made it clear he won’t blame the ailment for his level of play this season.

“No, everyone’s banged up in this locker room and around the league. That’s not an excuse,” Martin said. “So at the end of the day, I got to play better. Our team, everyone’s got to play better. I mean, it’s no secret. We want to win some games, we got to play better.”

Zack Martin’s Career PFF GradesOffensive GradePass-Blocking GradeRun-Block Grade

2014

86.7

92.0

78.0

2015

87.6

91.8

77.4

2016

89.4

83.6

84.0

2017

89.0

87.2

82.2

2018

82.4

84.7

74.8

2019

88.2

90.8

80.1

2020

91.3

73.9

92.2

2021

94.2

88.7

92.8

2022

73.3

81.2

64.8

2023

70.5

77.2

64.3

2024

65.2

61.2

63.2

“Yeah, it’s just who he is. It’s Zack Martin, first-ballot Hall of Famer,” Cowboys fill-in starting quarterback Cooper Rush said Thursday when asked about Martin powering through injury. “It’s an example of what that looks like in terms of toughness, competitiveness, and it’s a great example for guys to go off of and look to. I don’t think anybody needs inspiration but that can help guys get motivated maybe.”

Parsons expressed a desire to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy for Martin because he hasn’t tasted much playoff success. Martin has played his entire career in Dallas and the Cowboys haven’t advanced past the NFC Divisional round during that span despite winning at least 10 games in six separate seasons.

“That’s just the way it’s worked out, right?” Martin said. “Again, we’re trying to win them all, and unfortunately we’ve come up short this year and in previous years. But again, guys are doing the right things, working the right way to prepare to get ready for Sunday. So first and foremost, that’s what you can ask from these guys — give it all you got throughout the week and on game day.”

The Dallas locker room is united around Martin as their team’s heartbeat. Even though the Cowboys are 3-6, have lost four straight and are without Prescott for the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury, turning the 2024 season around for Martin is a top priority. That starts on Monday night against the Houston Texans.

“A lot,” running back Rico Dowdle said when asked what Martin means to the team. “Zack has been here for a long time. A guy that comes in, he’s one of the upfront leaders. He leads by example. He comes in day in and day out, prepares the right way. So definitely means a lot. Guy is going to be a Hall of Famer one day. I think everybody wants to win for each other and specifically for guys like Zack. We got to dig ourselves out of this hole first, take it one game at a time. Definitely want to win that trophy for a guy like Zack that’s been here for a long time.”

Dallas Cowboys Announce Major Change at Running Back for the Rest of the Season

By Daniel YerushalmiNovember 14, 2024Updated:November 14, 2024No Comments4 Mins Read

The Dallas Cowboys season is effectively over as they have almost no shot of making the postseason. While they will have a lot to figure out to have a better season next year, they are making a huge change at the running back position for the rest of this season. They are demoting their once-great back, Ezekiel Elliott.

Dallas Cowboys Have New Starting Running Back

Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) celebrates a touchdown pass from quarterback Dak Prescott against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

The backfield for the Cowboys has been an issue all year and they have had one of the worst run games in the league. Per Matt Hladik from The Spun:

Dallas went into the year with Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott as the team’s primary running backs, electing to not pursue star Derrick Henry in free agency. Overall, Dowdle has been solid, if not spectacular, but Elliott has looked his age (29) and has drawn the team’s ire for “habitual tardiness” and other issues.

So far, Dowdle has gotten more work than Elliott, but the Cowboys have taken a running back-by-committee approach–until today.

Head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Thursday that Dowdle will be the team’s lead back moving forward, beginning Monday night against the Houston Texans.

Packers @ Bears – NFL Game Preview for November 17, 2024

“Definitely, you have to get him the ball. That’s my focus to continue to get him opportunities. He’s the lead back,” McCarthy said, via Clarence Hill Jr. of All Dlls.

Dowdle has been the better of the two backs but not by that much. He has appeared in 8 games for the Cowboys so far and was the starter in 7 of those games. He has totaled; 374 yards on 83 carries, caught 24 passes for 166 yards, and three touchdowns. He has still not yet gotten a rushing score.

Elliott on the other hand, has been playing poorly, to say the least. The team has been free-falling after a mediocre start landing at a 3-6 record that is just going to get worse. They are on track for their first losing season since 2020, and only the second losing season in the last 14 years!

With Dak out for the season, they are primarily focused on next year, and even Micah Parsons has already started speaking about what the team can do to fix things for next year.

“We just need to stay the course,” said McCarthy, “and make sure we’re giving the players what they need, and putting them in positions to be successful, and just keep working on our execution.”

McCarthy should be gone by the end of the year but so far Jerry Jones is maintaining that McCarthy will be the coach going forward.

Cowboys fans think that this change took way too long to come, and by now it is way too late at their season is basically over:

“Took McCarthy long enough to realize that Rico Dowdle is giving you more than the rest of the room,” one fan said.

“McCarthy should have done this in Week 1. It was clear as day in camp that Rico didn’t need to be shackled in a timeshare,” said another fan.

“This definitely seems like a decision you make in Week 11. Credit to 30 year old Zeke and the electric Deuce Vaughn for holding him off that long,” one fan added.

“That’s why the Cowboys are annoying. Should not have taken 10 weeks to come to this decision,” another fan said.

“This would’ve been nice to have with Dak still around,” said one fan.

“Cowboys declaring FINALLY that Rico Dowdle is the true, definitive, No. 1 lead running back after their season has already turned into pixie dust is hilarious, this team makes me sick,” one fan added.

“Over ten weeks?? It’s took Mike, Jerry, and the whole lot of idiots to decide something everybody and their mama knew to do before the szn started,” another fan said.

Why Cooper Rush is on Cowboys injury report after Dak Prescott injury

Cowboys’ Cooper Rush has his own injury scare, which comes with Dak Prescott out already for Monday.

The Dallas Cowboys have a brand-new dilemma behind center amidst the Dak Prescott injury. Cooper Rush landed on the injury report Thursday. Yes, the same Rush is slated to start on Monday against the visiting Houston Texans.

But how did the backup to Prescott land on the injury report? NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero provided details on X, formerly known as Twitter. Turns out Rush is dealing with a significant ailment above the chest. Rush left practice with a neck injury.

Pelissero added that Rush still fully participated in practice. With Prescott out following hamstring surgery, many across the league wondered if it was time to pivot to Trey Lance.

Cowboys ESPN reporter Todd Archer, however, clarified the impact of Rush’s neck ailment. Turns out Rush’s neck had bothered him the last few days. Head coach Mike McCarthy shared that Rush “dealt with a neck strain” after his first fumble on Sunday versus the Philadelphia Eagles. Archer added a reaction from Rush himself.

“Little neck thing, but we were good to go. We’re feeling great now,” Rush said via Archer. The QB added it only took him one minute to feel better after the strain.

Regardless, Rush’s neck injury became enough to cause panic for Cowboys fans.

Will Cooper Rush become limited for the Cowboys? 

Rush’s injury likely won’t prevent him from putting the helmet and shoulder pads on. Fellow ESPN Cowboys insider Ed Werder reports Rush is expected to start against the AFC South leaders.

Related Dallas Cowboys NewsArticle continues below

The seventh-year QB must redeem himself fast if Dallas believes his neck is a nonissue. Rush delivered an uninspiring performance Sunday in taking over for Prescott.

Philly bottled him up and held him to only 45 passing yards on 13-of-23 passing. The Eagles sacked him once and forced two fumbles. Rush finished with a lowly quarterback rating (QBR) of 16.4.

Lance eventually succeeded Rush to start the fourth quarter. The third-stringer didn’t fare much better by settling for just 21 passing yards as the Eagles walloped Dallas 34-6. Philadelphia handed the Cowboys their third lopsided home defeat this season after the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions.

Rush will face the NFL’s seventh-best pass rush in the Texans. But Houston’s 29 sacks tops every team in the AFC South. The Texans are also entering AT&T Stadium seeking redemption for blowing a 16-point lead in their 26-23 loss to the Lions on Sunday night. Houston is a 7.5-point favorite to beat the slumping Cowboys, who have lost four in a row and stand at 3-6 overall.

Lorenzo Reyna has joined ClutchPoints as Associate Editor of NFL & NCAA Football. He’s equipped with past experience for both realms through his recent stops at Pro Football Network and Heavy while also writing for 247Sports. His Twitter/X handle is @LJ_Reyna and his Instagram is @lj_zo_rey.

Forgotten Cowboy Suddenly on Verge of Making 2024 Season Debut

The Dallas Cowboys have a player on the offensive side who is close to making his debut.

October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Chuma Edoga (71) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images / Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

The 2024 season has been one to forget for the Dallas Cowboys and there are still eight games left. The Cowboys sit with a 3-6 record but have dropped four games in a row.

The season already looks lost but the Cowboys have an offensive lineman who appears close to making his 2024 debut.

The Cowboys are starting the practice window for OT Chuma Edoga. He’s been out since training camp with a toe injury.

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) November 13, 2024

Cowboys News: Dallas Opened Chuma Edoga Practice Window

According to Todd Archer, the Cowboys have opened up the practice window for OT Chuma Edoga. He’s been sidelined since training camp with a toe injury. They now have 21 days to either activate him to the active roster or put him back on IR for the remainder of the season.

Edoga joined Dallas last season, where he suited up in all 17 games and made six starts. He logged 420 total snaps in 2023, logging a 61.4 overall grade per PFF. The USC product gave up 16 pressures with three sacks allowed.

The 27-year-old’s return may have come at the right time. Rookie tackle Tyler Guyton is dealing with a shoulder injury that has cost him two games this season.

Cowboys veteran OT Chuma Edoga will be back at practice today. Asim Richards played well on Sunday. Tyler Guyton is working back from a shoulder injury.

Left tackle is an interesting spot for the Cowboys this week

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 13, 2024

Even when he was on the field, the Oklahoma product struggled immensely. Guyton has allowed 19 pressures and gave up four sacks in 2024. He needs to improve his play, and having Edoga potentially take his spot when he’s activated could be an option.

The Cowboys will be looking to see what players can stick around in 2025 and Edoga may have his chance to prove himself.

Former Cowboys Coach on Verge of Being Fired Next After Latest Axing

An ex-coach Dallas coach may be looking for a new job soon.

October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images / Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

The Dallas Cowboys are 3-6 and are likely going to miss the playoffs. With a mixture of injuries, bad play, and questionable coaching, the Cowboys’ chances of doing any damage in 2024 are eliminated.

Quarterback Dak Prescott going down for the year with a hamstring injury was the final nail in the coffin. It’s all but certain that this will be Mike McCarthy’s final season in Dallas.

While this is happening with the Cowboys, there are a lot of other head coaches on the hot seat. On Tuesday, the Chicago Bears fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. With Waldron out, head coach Matt Eberflus might be following him out of the door soon.

Eberflus was the Cowboys linebacker coach from 2011-2015 before adding passing game coordinator to his plate from 2016-2017.

He’s been the Bears head coach since 2022 and owns a 14-29 record. This past offseason, Chicago made drastic changes along the roster that included adding Caleb Williams, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, and Kevin Byard to name a few. Despite all these moves, Chicago’s struggles on the field have been the same.

They are 4-5 on the season and have dropped three games in a row. There were already doubts around Eberflus’ ability to lead a team before entering the season and he hasn’t done anything to change that narrative.

With Williams regressing by the week and the team failing to come out prepared, there is a high likelihood that Eberflus will be relieved of his duties if things don’t change quickly.

They already fired Waldron. Eberflus’ job is next on the list, and he needs to find some answers, or he’ll be out of a job just like Waldron.

NFL Rumors: Mike McCarthy is as good as gone once Cowboys finish awful season

Mike McCarthy should update his LinkedIn profile before the seasons’ conclusion.

The Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 season is rapidly unraveling, and with head coach Mike McCarthy at the helm, speculation is swirling about his future with the team. As the Cowboys face the stark reality of a season gone wrong, the murmurs around McCarthy’s job security grow louder, painting a grim picture of his tenure’s potential end.

“There’s a great deal of chatter about who might be coaching the team next year, as Mike McCarthy is not signed for 2025.” Dan Graziano of ESPN says. This revelation underscores the precarious position McCarthy finds himself in, with his contract nearing its conclusion and no renewal in sight.

Once viewed as a playoff contender, the Cowboys have grappled with a series of setbacks this season, most notably the loss of quarterback Dak Prescott to a season-ending hamstring injury. This significant blow has all but dashed their playoff hopes and catalyzed introspection within the organization about the team’s direction and leadership.

Cowboys will miss playoffs in 2024

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Graziano further explains the internal discussions, noting that “the Cowboys are coming to grips with the fact that their 2024 roster wasn’t what they thought it was.” This acknowledgment signals a possible shift in strategy, focusing on rebuilding and reevaluating their roster composition, coaching staff, and overall team strategy.

Why Cowboys must start Trey Lance in Week 11 vs. Texans

The prospect of McCarthy not returning for the next season does not come as a surprise to those closely following the team’s dynamics. Jerry Jones, the team’s outspoken owner, has a history of making decisive changes when the team’s performance does not meet expectations. However, Jones has stated he will not change coaches during the season, which means McCarthy will likely finish out his contract.

The conversation in Dallas is not just about when McCarthy will leave, but also about who will succeed him. The implications of a coaching change are profound, affecting everything from team morale to recruitment strategies and the development of players, especially underperforming stars like Prescott.

As the season progresses, the Cowboys’ leadership will need to carefully consider their next steps. The decision about McCarthy’s future will be pivotal in shaping the team’s path forward and could mark the beginning of a new chapter for one of the NFL’s most storied franchises. As the 2024 season draws to a close, all eyes will be on Jerry Jones and his management team to see how they navigate these turbulent waters and set the course for a hopefully brighter future.

Brayden Haena is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. Brayden is a football and baseball fanatic who channels his enthusiasm through his podcast. His commitment to sports journalism is evident in his diverse experiences with ContraCosta.news.

Deion Sanders Finally Speaks Out on Cowboys Head Coaching Rumors

The former Cowboys cornerback is happy being the head coach at the University of Colorado.

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos head coach Deion Sanders against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

With the Dallas Cowboys dropping their third-straight game to the Philadelphia Eagles last week and seemingly falling out of the playoff race, there’s some discussion about who will be Dallas’ next head coach.

Mike McCarthy entered this season as a lame-duck head coach. And with how things have gone through 10 weeks, he might be gone after this season. Many fans believe former New England head coach Bill Belichick would be the perfect replacement for McCarthy in the offseason.

However, former NFL coach Rex Ryan mentioned Colorado head coach Deion Sanders as a potential candidate on ESPN’s Get Up, which picked up a lot of attention on social media.

The former Cowboys and Hall of Fame cornerback has taken the college football world by storm with his success at Jackson State (FCS) and what he’s done in his second season at Colorado.

On Tuesday, Sanders was on FS1’s Speak and asked by Cowboys legend Michael Irvin about coaching Dallas. Irvin gave Sanders his props, mentioning how he’s encouraging people and what he’s done at the program.

. asked  about coaching the Cowboys… Watch until the end to see Prime’s response 😂

— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) November 13, 2024

And somehow, some way, the former Cowboys wide receiver found a way to mix in Dallas.

The Colorado head coach did not want any part of entertaining that idea as he repeatedly said, “Oh Lord, don’t start that, I love it where I am.”

After saying that, Sanders got out of his chair to show off the backdrop from his office, which showcases the stadium and mountains. He said while walking, “Let me take the computer in here because you’re starting to talk that talk,” he said, laughing. “I love it where I am!”

If you are a Cowboys fan, you can’t blame Irvin for trying to gauge Sanders’ interest in coaching in Dallas. However, the Hall of Fame defensive back said last summer on record that he has no desire or ambition to coach in the NFL.

QB Room, Week 10: Here’s a path to fixing Cowboys and Dak Prescott. And no, it’s not Deion and Shedeur Sanders

Highly paid, highly followed talking heads will talk. Most especially about the Dallas Cowboys.

It’s the low-hanging fruit of morning talk show ratings. Say something wild or controversial about the Cowboys in the early a.m., then spin that morning opinion into a debate on a noon show. Once you have that, take that second opinion and program it for the afternoon to evening cycle — and suddenly you have a useful single-serving day echo chamber that draws in the social media aggregators and highly interactive programming across all of your platforms. Cable sports network … podcasted versions of that show … ancillary podcasts … website posts … social media traction … clicks and impressions … and some numbers to sell to your advertisers.

It’s the Dallas Cowboys media math.

And if we’re being honest? Throw in columns on the internet, too. Let’s not be disingenuous and preclude ourselves from that group of outlets that tends to orbit around the teams, franchise owners, players and topics that draw the most interest. There is an ecosystem that demands attention, and who are we to deny it?

But if we’re going to partake in it, let us at least embrace it with common sense. Let us be realistic about assessments and situations — facts and data. Don’t say something just to say something. Don’t ignore the basic fundamentals of a salary cap. Or turn your back on the decades-old realities of NFL locker rooms, roster construction, and the very basic and general boundaries of how talent travels between franchises.

Welcome to QB Room, Charles Robinson’s weekly quarterback-centric NFL column at Yahoo Sports. (Joseph Raines/Yahoo Sports)

If we can do that, we might be able to have an honest conversation about the Dallas Cowboys. What ails them, how to fix them and beyond. Starting with …

Stop talking about the Cowboys making a change at quarterback

Of all the mind-numbing suggestions I have heard in recent days, the idea that the Cowboys can somehow move off of quarterback Dak Prescott next offseason loudly sticks out. When you weigh the salary cap implications, it’s beyond foolish. His most basic cap hit in 2025 is nearly $90 million. His dead cap figure is nearly $152 million. To move away from him next offseason would be an asteroid strike to the franchise — an extinction level event. The talent-shedding and impact on the remaining roster and contract extensions would point to a gutting that would be perceived as a down-to-the-studs rebuild.

So if you hear someone say the Cowboys should move to another quarterback, think: Either this person is stupid, or they’re saying something for the sheer effect of the words and aggregation potential. Not naming names or anything … but, yeah.

Prescott is a Cowboy. We can argue about his performance in 2024 prior to his season-ending injury, but his contract extension is all that really matters. Cope with it and move forward. He’s the quarterback for the foreseeable future.

A coaching change appears inevitable. Choose some combination of a tactician and a motivator

I can see team owner Jerry Jones firing head coach Mike McCarthy. Not necessarily because McCarthy deserves it more than a handful of others on the staff (including Jones as general manager), but because there has been a mandate to get over the playoff hump, and McCarthy hasn’t been able to push the right buttons. I won’t waste time defending McCarthy because I was at the horrendous Jan. 14 playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers, and I thought then — and think now — that McCarthy should have been fired after that game. Not to mention the rest of his staff, including defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who despite his success with the Washington Commanders this season, didn’t have his defense prepared for that 48-32 loss (which wasn’t as close as the score appears).

Whatever the case now, I am fine with McCarthy getting the axe. By the end of this season, he will have had a solid swing of five years, including three extremely talented rosters from 2021-2023. All three of those seasons, I turned to the postseason thinking Dallas had a championship contending roster. All three of those seasons, I felt like they were outmatched from a coaching perspective in the final game of the season. At some point, you have to prove you’re better than the best. McCarthy hasn’t. And he had a very solid opportunity to do so. So it’s time to move on.

Where does Dallas go from here?

The most successful formula is to reach for the best tactician and the best motivator. For years, I’ve watched these combinations of coaches win Super Bowls. The Kansas City Chiefs? For three of the past five years, Andy Reid has been the master tactician guiding the offense through a changing roster with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, while defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has been the (very underrated) motivator of an evolving unit that has never really gotten its due in three title wins. The Los Angeles Rams following the 2021 season? Head coach Sean McVay served as offensive tactician, but defensive coordinator Raheem Morris’ motivation served as the difference in a unit that held the Cincinnati Bengals scoreless in the fourth quarter of a come-from-behind Super Bowl win. That Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that won it all with Tom Brady in the 2020 season? Bruce Arians was the emotional heartbeat all season long, but defensive coordinator Todd Bowles’ game plan destroyed the Chiefs for the title.

In recent history, I’ll take an all-star motivator and a genius tactician. Give me Ben Johnson or Bobby Slowik to run the offense tactically. And Mike Vrabel or Robert Saleh to command the defense. It’s the combination of experience and proven methods that wins out. Not flash. And not Bill Belichick, who would have to remake everything — regardless of what he wants to admit at this stage of his life.

And do not give me Deion Sanders in either position. This isn’t the NCAA, where the transfer portal offers high percentage roster changes, and a collection of young men who are far more prone to accepting wide-ranging criticism and change than grown men who value their career viability and paycheck more than Deion’s faded exploits and folksy-but-direct charisma. Don’t get me wrong. I respect what Deion has done at Colorado in a short window. But I also know that a salary cap, the necessity of building teams over time and the attitudes of grown men with families and real responsibilities tend to render gravitas to a low level in the NFL. The God Complex that works in college rarely works in the NFL. Most especially in 2024.

Get a No. 2 wideout who has some grit

Frankly, I’m fine with wideouts who challenge their quarterbacks. If CeeDee Lamb ever had a bone to pick with Prescott, by all means — pick it. Maybe not on the sidelines of a nationally televised game, but behind closed doors, absolutely. I’m not entirely certain who this player would be, but I will say that living in Houston has provided me with enough of a vantage of Stefon Diggs to know he pushes practices. He elevates expectations. Yes, he’s coming off a season-ending knee injury, but I still believe he’s got something left in the tank for 2025. And I think playing on the same team with his brother Trevon Diggs would help squeeze every last drop out of him. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t advise adding a wide receiver with a prickly exterior who commands attention from his quarterback. But with Prescott, that’s a little of what he has been lacking.

Trade Micah Parsons? Not unless a team offers multiple first-rounders — which the Cowboys desperately need to reshape the roster — to get him. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)More

Soft list Micah Parsons on the trade market next offseason

I don’t think the Cowboys should trade Parsons. But given that he expects to be the highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL next offseason, it’s worth seeing if some team is willing to mortgage to the hilt to add him. Quietly open the phone lines on him before signing his inevitable massive contract extension. There was a time when then-Carolina Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns commanded an offer of two first-round draft picks from the Los Angeles Rams. There’s at least a slight chance that Parsons could command three firsts. And I think in that situation, the Cowboys would be foolish not to take it.

Not only would such a trade open a significant amount of future salary cap space, it would yield picks that Dallas could use to line the offensive and defensive lines during a micro-rebuild the next few seasons.

Do I think it will happen? No. When I spoke to Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones last summer, he ranked edge rusher as the No. 2 most important position behind quarterback when it came to locking in talent and signing extensions. That tells me Dallas will mortgage to the salary cap to get Parsons’ extension done, and deal with the consequences later. If they’re smart, they won’t do that until seeing what kind of trade market Parsons has.

Trade back in this draft, accumulate picks and add to 3 areas

As we get closer to the 2025 NFL Draft, you’re going to hear about the lack of elite prospects. That doesn’t mean there isn’t talent to be found, including in the latter rounds. In fact, some executives believe that when the draft boards all shake out, picks in the 7-8-9 range might end up on the same talent shelf as picks at the very end of the first round. Whoever the Cowboys land in the draft order, the move should be trading out unless there is an absolutely elite offensive or defensive lineman. Running back is deep enough to get a player in the second or third round capable of starting fairly quickly in the NFL. Whatever the thought process, it’s clear this draft will be conquered by having a lot of ammunition rather than high ammunition.

For now, with two months of the NFL season still left to be revealed, that’s the best shot I’ve got to fixing the Cowboys heading into the offseason. It’s basic and unfinished but miles ahead of the lunacy of pivoting off Dak Prescott for a rookie quarterback and courting Deion Sanders as a realistic fix.

In mid November, that’s a media fix for ratings. And anyone who tells you otherwise is either in on the ruse or completely out of their depth when it comes to how the NFL works in 2024.

Now on to the Week 10 of the QB Room

(Joseph Raines)

◦ After talking to two league sources Tuesday night dialed into the mindset of New York Jets team owner Woody Johnson —including one in the Jets building that had a very accurate and very early explanation of how the Robert Saleh firing went down — I’d suggest this: Aaron Rodgers better be very clear and measured when wandering into diatribes on “The Pat McAfee Show” concerning his views of how ownership should operate NFL teams. While nobody is going out of their way to defend Johnson’s decisions, even inside the Jets building, they are most definitely mindful that Rodgers even seeming to offer a critique of Johnson (even if he isn’t) can help make sure everyone in the coaching staff and top tiers of the personnel ranks get fired at the end of this season, followed by Rodgers getting punted in the offseason.

The quote that raised eyebrows, where Rodgers was wandering through his thoughts on the Chicago Bears’ firing of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, was this one, starting at the 2:34 mark:

“There’s been a lot of Quarterbacks who have started their careers with multiple play callers..

That’s a tough deal for Caleb Williams but he’s strong enough mentally to get through

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 12, 2024

The consensus for all fans is, ‘If we’re not winning now, then everybody needs to get the hell out.’ And listen, there are places, I’m sure, that are broken. Locker rooms that may not be sticking together or staffs that need a shakeup from time to time. But I would continue to preach patience for players and coaches.

But you know what it starts with? Ownership. Ownership has to come out and make strong statements. ‘This is the plan — this is what we’re doing. We’re gonna trust the process or trust the guys that are in place.’ Unless there’s a major problem, an issue, an arrest, or something that throws a wrench in the plans.

From what I have been told, Johnson is extremely frustrated with how the season has unfolded, particularly after making recent moves in the coaching staff and on the roster to try and right the ship, including the addition of Davante Adams, which was specifically made for Rodgers. Second, he’s still measuring how he wants the team to move forward in 2025, and that includes essentially everything and everyone.

There has been a sense of the unknown in the organization for months about how a Donald Trump election win could impact the franchise, with a presumption that Johnson would be in line for some kind of role in the next administration — either in Trump’s cabinet, among his advisers or another ambassadorship in the UK or elsewhere. But a source in the building noted, even if Johnson is headed to other duties in the future there is going to be plenty of time for him to turn over the Jets’ organization and set a new course before he takes on any appointment.

The bottom line? The New York Jets aren’t the Green Bay Packers. They have a singular owner who listens to a lot of people and hears most everything that could reflect on him. When Rodgers talks about what NFL ownership should or shouldn’t be doing, he’s not on a team that has a board of directors anymore. If there’s even a perception that Rodgers is making some kind of statement about Johnson, even if it’s when he’s talking about another team or in nebulous generalities about NFL ownership, it can change lives and futures very fast. And right now, everyone in that Jets organization is holding onto their job by a thread.

◦ We’re getting pretty far along in the college football season and you can definitely sense some fading hopes among personnel evaluators that a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft is suddenly going to flip a switch and tear through the remainder of the college season and potentially the College Football Playoff and present himself as a bona fide star. I still think there’s a lot of hope that Miami’s Cam Ward becomes that guy.

As it stands now, staffs haven’t really done much work on the 2026 class (aside from potential 2025 junior draft declares) and effectively nothing on the 2027 class, and yet there seems to be more interest in a couple players in those classes — Texas’ Arch Manning, who hasn’t played much since since the start of October, and Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola, who hasn’t played well since the start of October — than most of the QBs who are expected to be available in the 2025 class. South Carolina’s redshirt freshman LaNorris Sellers also has some scouting department fans, too. Remember that name.

In the midst of all of this, one AFC personnel executive posed an interesting suggestion about the upcoming quarterback class through the prism of Atlanta Falcons rookie Michael Penix Jr., who was selected with the eighth overall pick in 2024.

“I could get a team calling the Falcons [about Penix] after all of their work is in on this [class],” he said. “He’s a better gamble than all of [the 2025 quarterbacks]. We have a couple months left, but right now I would take Penix over this entire class. There’s not a lot of guys worth standing on the table for.”

In a vacuum of elite QB prospects this upcoming draft, teams might inquire on the availability of Falcons rookie backup Michael Penix Jr. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)More

The rationale for the suggestion was this: The Sunday dud against the New Orleans Saints notwithstanding, Kirk Cousins has played at a high enough level for the Falcons to easily justify him as the starter through the end of the 2025 season. And if Atlanta can win even one playoff game this season, the team would be justified to trade Penix for a collection of draft picks or a player and picks that could help the Falcons maximize a possible Super Bowl push from 2025 to 2027. The potential opportunity in play would be the Falcons getting Penix an end-of-season start (if seeding is locked in) against the Carolina Panthers on Jan. 5, which could showcase him for an offseason trade.

The hope? One (or multiple) teams in play to draft a quarterback in 2025 would see the weakness in the class and rather make a run at a player with a higher evaluation and some NFL experience under his belt. Of course, one of the problems in all of this is the general weakness of the 2025 draft, and the feeling that it will have a minimal number of first-round grades on draft boards. Draft capital in 2025 is going to be worth considerably less than 2024, and that could be a problem for any team hoping to pry Penix loose from Atlanta.

◦ I’m not going to get into it before I have to, but adding onto that last note: There’s already significant apprehension about the risk/reward equation of drafting Shedeur Sanders. A solid amount of it surrounds his dad and Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, the former NFL star and Hall of Famer who has been vocal about his son’s future and who will also make a prominent appearance in Shedeur’s scouting reports. Right now, it’s clear Deion and his considerable megaphone in the media is getting weighed.

A longtime AFC executive who has held some powerful positions over the last two decades said he viewed Sanders as “Tyrod Taylor 2.0,” then remarked, “I don’t think the talent level is worth all the extra stuff that is going to come along with him.” The extra stuff remark was clearly about Deion’s megaphone. There’s a lot of talk about this element right now in the lower spectrum of NFL personnel circles. If Colorado makes the CFP, that will ramp up. And by the time the NFL scouting combine arrives in February, it will be a central topic of Sanders as a prospect. (Don’t kill me for saying it. I’m just telling you what is going on. It already seems to be a lightning-rod topic in mid November, which is saying something.)

As it stands, Deion is already on record saying he will step in if he deems that the “wrong” organization is in line to draft his son — similar to Archie Manning stepping in when Eli Manning was drafted by the San Diego Chargers first overall in 2004.

◦ I have no idea if newly elevated Thomas Brown is going to be a better offensive play-caller than the fired Shane Waldron for the Chicago Bears, but one thing is clear: Part of this move is head coach Matt Eberflus recognizing that saving his job is a road that goes through Caleb Williams for the remainder of the season. This is the last card in the deck in that respect, and if Brown struggles to get Williams pointed in the right direction — as he struggled to get Bryce Young up and running as the Carolina Panthers‘ offensive coordinator last season — then it’s going to be lights out on the employment of Eberflus and his coaching staff.

I tend to shy away from putting a massive amount of stock into what happened during Brown’s tenure as the Panthers’ offensive coordinator and short-lived play-caller last season. He received the duties from head coach Frank Reich in mid-October of a season where the inside of the building — including the coaching offices — had already turned into a “Lord of the Flies” situation. A mere three weeks later, a flailing Reich took the play-calling responsibilities back. The entire Panthers organization felt poisoned by that point and it’s hard to assess successes and failures tied to that period.

For now, what’s clear is that Brown has to design and call a game that gets Williams making faster decisions. As much as we can blame the offense line and overall lack of balance — and those are legitimate issues — there’s no denying that Williams is reverting to his 2023 season at USC, when he was extending plays to an arrogant degree. I wrote about this concern in December of 2023, when I asked talent evaluators to compare him to Drake Maye as a prospect. There’s little doubt that some of the hero ball at USC cannot exist in the NFL. Brown getting Williams to understand that is paramount.

And one last thing: If you’re going to blame the offensive line for all of his problems, take a look at the Washington Commanders. Jayden Daniels is operating behind a line with as many problems as the Bears’ core group, and with less talent at the skill positions. Either Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is a miracle worker, or Daniels simply has a better feel for the position right now. Maybe it’s both. Whatever it is, both Thomas Brown and Caleb Williams need to strive for that kind of synergy.

◦ To close it out, I’m calling it now: Backup quarterback Drew Lock is going to start some games for the New York Giants. That’s partially due to the continued roller coaster that is Daniel Jones, and partially to ice the $23 million injury guarantee for the 2025 season. Jones has been the epitome of the below-average starter who really never gets you anywhere, but occasionally plays well enough to give some oxygen to the flicker hope that he can be something more. Now we’re reaching the critical point of 2024 where the Giants are realistically out of the playoff picture at 2-8, and spending their bye week trying to figure out the risk/reward of continuing to play Jones in Week 11 and beyond.

Pay close attention here. I think Jones’ days are limited as the Giants’ starter. A contract-related benching is coming, and then a pivot into rebooting the spot in 2025.

There are already a lot of great Jayden Daniels throws to choose from this season, but you will not find a better-timed and positioned pass than this one to wideout Terry McLaurin. You might find one of equal value, but not better. With a free blitzer in his face, Daniels released the ball when McLaurin was fully covered up at the 35-yard line … 15 yards before McLaurin would come open. The pass was positioned on the sideline, with the over-the-top safety having no chance to get anywhere near the play. This is perfection.

Daniels to Scary Terry… What a catch!

📺:  on CBS/Paramount+
📱:
— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024

Another sideline delight throw, with Matthew Stafford making sure only Cooper Kupp had a shot at the ball. Kupp spears it with one hand as he goes out of bounds. Yes, you can find an assembly line of these throws between Stafford and Kupp. I enjoyed this one because we’re very likely coming to the end of this connection in the offseason.

Stafford to Kupp making it look routine.

📺:  on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on  and ESPN+

— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2024

This is 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa latched onto the arm of Baker Mayfield for roughly 15 yards. Mayfield getting this ball off is a testament to how well he’s moving around this season. That he could even keep his composure long enough and have the guts to throw this ball for a completion is a testament to how far his confidence has come over the last year. This kind of thing is peak “I can do anything” Mayfield.

THROWING A DART WHILE STIFF ARMING A DEFENDER 💪🎯

— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024

About that Daniels to McLaurin sideline pass that we opened with … this ball from Russell Wilson to George Pickens was better. Sometimes you pull a Straight Flush, only to watch the guy sitting across from you flip a Royal Flush.

George Pickens with ANOTHER tough catch.

📺:  on CBS/Paramount+
📱:

— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024

I’m going to end this segment on a second Wilson to Pickens throw, because Wilson is unlocking that level of “special” in Pickens that we knew was possible … but doubted would ever surface consistently. The ability of Pickens to contort himself for this catch and then control the ball to the ground is unicorn stuff. If he and Wilson keep it up at this rate, we’re going to be arguing about who the best quarterback-receiver tandem is in the NFL.

GEORGE PICKENS TD OH MY

📺:  on CBS/Paramount+
📱:

— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024

Stock Up

C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

I’m buying Stroud this week against a Dallas Cowboys defense that has gotten smoked in four straight losses. Yes, the Cowboys are fifth in the NFL in passing pressures. But Stroud’s dominant, All-Pro level No. 1 wideout, Nico Collins, is expected to return for the Monday night matchup, just in time for the Texans to make their turn into John Metchie III as the team’s third wideout. As Metchie continued his trek back from a successful battle against leukemia, the franchise continued to believe he would eventually get an opening and turn a corner on the field. After some strong flashes in the preseason, he finally found his footing against the Detroit Lions, playing 65 percent of the offensive snaps and catching five passes for 74 yards and his first career touchdown. The Texans also made what the team believes will be a critical change on the offensive line this week to improve pass protection, moving center Juice Scruggs to left guard, and left guard Jarrett Patterson to center. Stroud hasn’t had a 300-yard passing game since Oct. 6. I think that drought ends this week.

Stroud. Metchie. TOUCHDOWN!

That’s his first career TD catch 🙌

📺:  on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on

— NFL (@NFL) November 11, 2024

Stock Down

Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts

As much as we love his cannon arm and resilient personality, I’m selling Flacco hard heading into this week’s road game against the New York Jets. Evidently, so are the Colts, who on Wednesday announced they’re going back to Anthony Richardson. Flacco was sacked four times in the loss to the Buffalo Bills last week and continues to have feet made of concrete. And while it’s hard to lean on the Jets doing anything right, they have been — for the most part — a very effective pressure defense up front, with an ability to finish off pressure with sacks. At 3-7 (and 1-6 in their past seven games) the Jets have nothing left to lose against the Colts. Don’t be surprised if the Jets’ defense plays loose and aggressive in a home game that could see Indianapolis starting a rookie at left tackle, following a knee injury last week to Bernhard Raimann. The Colts probably saw a slow-footed QB facing a defense adept at both pressures and sacks, with a rookie left tackle potentially stepping in for a start. It partly explains why Flacco got benched.

The #Bills Defense was menacing all day vs the #Colts

4 TOs
2 FF
3 INTs
4 Sacks
59.5% Completion Percent Allowed
6 TFL
5 PD
13 QB Pressures
79.7 QB Rating Allowed

The Defense was the difference in this game!

— Built in Buffalo (@BuiltInBuffalo_) November 12, 2024

Former NFL star takes aim at Micah Parsons for Cowboys CB’s ‘Disrespect’ toward Mike McCarthy and Rex Ryan

Cowboys Jerry Jones Investigates Micah Parsons vs. Mike McCarthy Media Controversy

After interviewing both Micah Parsons and Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is convinced the miscommunication is settled.

Dallas Cowboys

FRISCO – In the current sad state of the slumping Dallas Cowboys the sun is too bright and communications are too cloudy.

Owner Jerry Jones on Tuesday remained defiant about maintaining the bright sun in AT&T Stadium he calls an “advantage,” and clarified the recent dust-up between star player Micah Parsons and head coach Mike McCarthy.

Said Jones on his weekly radio show on 105.3 The Fan, “I’ve visited extensively with everybody involved.”

In the locker room after last Sunday’s blowout loss to the rival Philadelphia Eagles, Parsons was attempting to emote empathy for veteran teammates enduring another failed season but wound up seemingly criticizing – even dismissing – McCarthy.

“That’s above my pay grade,” Parsons said when asked about his coach’s future. “If Mike coaches again next year … Mike can leave and go wherever he wants … You want to win games and do great things with those types of (player) legends who put in more time and work than Mike McCarthy ever did.”

We can debate whether the 25-year-old Parsons is mature enough to be this team’s go-to mouthpiece. But he gets credit for immediately dousing a fire he – intentionally or not – set ablaze.

McCarthy Addresses Micah’s ‘Diarrhea of the Mouth’

Parsons met face-to-face with McCarthy on Monday morning and later that night went on his own podcast and said he “never intended to throw Mike under the bus.”

Jones said he’s confident the incident is more bad miscommunication than bad intentions.

“It wasn’t meant as a critique of the coach,” Jones said. “It was meant as a concern for veteran players, like Zack Martin, who might not have that much more left in their career. That’s how it was meant. There is no doubt in my mind that it was meant that way. Micah does not feel a lack of appreciation for Mike.”

Cowboys Land Former Highly Touted 40-TD QB Amid Bad News on Dak Prescott

Heavy on Cowboys The Dallas Cowboys are signing quarterback Will Grier.

The Dallas Cowboys are bringing back a familiar face with Dak Prescott officially being ruled out for the 2024 season. The Cowboys are signing quarterback Will Grier to the team’s practice squad.

“The Cowboys are signing Will Grier to their practice squad,” ESPN’s Todd Archer detailed in a November 12, 2024, message on X. “He was with the organization in 2021-22.

“He was on Philadelphia’s practice squad most recently. Cowboys now have three QBs in the building with Dak Prescott looking at season-ending surgery.”

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Grier previously spent two seasons with the Cowboys prior to being released as Dallas finalized the team’s final 53-man roster ahead of the 2023 season. The quarterback went on to have short stints with the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots and Los Angeles Chargers. Most recently, Grier was part of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Cowboys QB Will Grier Was Once Projected to be a 1st-Round Pick in the 2019 NFL Draft

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed in his November 12 weekly interview with 105.3 The Fan that Prescott will have season-ending surgery to repair his hamstring. Grier joins Cooper Rush and Trey Lance as the third quarterback Dallas has healthy with Prescott sidelined.

Grier was once viewed as one of the top potential quarterback prospects heading into the 2019 NFL draft. The quarterback was projected to be a potential first-round pick in mock drafts.

Ultimately, Grier fell to the third round where the Carolina Panthers selected the quarterback with the No. 100 overall pick in 2019. After two seasons in Carolina, the Panthers released Grier in September 2021. The Cowboys claimed Grier off of waivers after his release by the Panthers.

Dak Prescott Spoke Up for Will Grier Prior to His Cowboys’ Release in 2023

Grier’s best collegiate season came in 2018 at West Virginia as the signal-caller threw for 3,864 yards, 37 touchdowns and 8 interceptions while completing 67% of his passes. The quarterback also added 3 TDs on the ground in 2018.

Unfortunately, Grier has not been able to have the same success in the NFL. The Cowboys released Grier after trading for Lance in August 2023. Prescott appeared surprised by the Lance acquisition and praised Grier after the trade went down.

“I can’t say that I necessarily expected [a heads-up], no,” Prescott said at the time, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. “I understand though that that’s business. I understand that they’re probably on a timeline, they need to get something done. He felt like that strengthened this team and, yeah, ready to welcome [Lance] and, yeah, I mean knowing the strength of the quarterback room that we have.

“Honestly right now, my heart and my mind is with Will. So it’s a tough situation, honestly. Love that guy to death over there. Plays his ass off, comes in, prepares the right way each and every day.”

Cooper Rush & Trey Lance Will Both be Free Agents in 2025

The Cowboys now face a lot of uncertainty at quarterback heading into 2025. Lance and Rush are slated to be free agents, while Prescott will be recovering from season-ending surgery.

Grier could have a chance to make the 2025 roster and compete to be Prescott’s backup if Dallas loses both quarterbacks in free agency. It will be interesting to see if Grier sees the field at all this season with the Cowboys’ chances of making the postseason dwindling without Prescott under center.