This is not what Cowboys fans wanted to hear.
Only two weeks remain in the 2024 regular season and the Dallas Cowboys still have not extended the contracts of head coach Mike McCarthy and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
It seems that Jerry Jones is prepared to take this down to the wire. That's what ex-Dallas coach Jason Garrett thinks will happen. If true, the team's performance against the Eagles and Commanders, respectively, to finish the year could determine McCarthy's future.
Jones has implied that McCarthy and Zimmer are a package deal, meaning if one is back, both are back. If one is gone, both are gone. Many Cowboys fans would like Zimmer back next year even if McCarthy is fired.
But does Zimmer want to come back? While the 68-year-old told the Dallas media he does not regret coaching this season, he didn't commit to coaching in 2025.
Cowboys' DC Mike Zimmer might not want to coach in 2025
Zimmer said that being back in coaching has been "hard," via The Athletic's Jon Machota. When asked if he wants to keep at it, Zimmer said, "We’ll see. Let’s wait until the end of the year and see where we’re at."
That's the last thing Cowboys fans wanted to hear during the holidays.
There's been so much talk about wanting to run it back with Zimmer, but he'll turn 69 before next season. He was also out of the NFL for three years before returning to Dallas. With that said, it's not like he was out of coaching entirely. In 2022 and 2023, he served as a consultant at Jackson State and Colorado, respectively, under former Cowboys star Deion Sanders.
It seems that Zimmer is waiting for the Joneses to come to a decision. If the franchise wants him back, it stands to reason he would sign the contract. That is no guarantee, obviously, but he clearly hasn't lost his fastball as a defensive play-caller.
The Cowboys sacked Baker Mayfield four times Sunday night and generated two turnovers despite being down DeMarcus Lawrence, leading tackler Eric Kendricks, Trevon Diggs and DeMarvion Overshown.
It marked the sixth game this season where Dallas generated four sacks and forced multiple turnovers. According to Stat Head, they are the only defense in the NFL this season hit those benchmarks six times and one of just eight teams in the last 15 years (!) to do it six times in one season.
From Weeks 9-15, Zimmer's unit ranked second in the NFL in terms of EPA (expected points added) allowed per dropback. Diggs played just three times during that stretch and heartbeat of the secondary Jourdan Lewis missed Week 11 against the Texans.
A slow start was expected as the defense got comfortable in Zimmer's scheme. It's no surprise they are playing their best ball toward the end of the season.
This unit has the potential to be special next year with another offseason in the system, but that is suddenly in question after Zimmer's comments about his future.
