Jerry Jones 'couldn't be more pleased' with McCarthy's coaching

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones praised head coach Mike McCarthy for how he's handled the 2023 season.

"I couldn't be more pleased with what he's done and how he's coached. ... I really mean it. He has really made as big a difference from his head coaching vantage point as anybody could from any vantage point in the NFL," Jones said, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic.

The executive added: "He's the big difference this year."

McCarthy has led the Cowboys to a 12-5 record in each of the last three seasons. The club won two NFC East division titles during that stretch and made the playoffs in all three campaigns.

The Cowboys' offense has soared to new heights under McCarthy. After four seasons, they moved on from offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, which has paid off: Dallas ranks first in points per game and fifth in yards per contest this year.

Quarterback Dak Prescott is playing the best football of his career in 2023. He leads the league in touchdown passes (36) and is second among quarterbacks in EPA per play this season, per Ben Baldwin's database.

Even though McCarthy has led the team to regular-season success, there's still doubt about the 60-year-old's future in Dallas. The Cowboys have failed to get past the divisional round since 1995 and have a 1-2 record in the postseason under McCarthy.

"The last thing that I want to do is spend any time talking with him about these kinds of things, on agreements, extension of agreements, especially when I've got one," Jones said when asked about McCarthy's future, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.

Dallas will face off against the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round on Sunday.