FRISCO – Mike McCarthy’s exclusive negotiating window is about to open. But is his career as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys about to close?

McCarthy was hired in 2020 to elevate the Cowboys. A team that consistently won regular-season games and even division titles needed to ramp up its playoff success. Enter McCarthy with a Super-Bowl skin on the wall. But …

In Jason Garrett’s last four years: 41-26, 1-2 in playoffs.

In McCarthy’s last four years: 44-27, 1-3 in playoffs.

In other words, status woe.

As McCarthy faces what could be his final game Sunday against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the questions are swirling and the debate is on. After the game the Cowboys will commence an exclusive negotiating window with McCarthy until Jan. 14, at which time – without a new contract – he will become a coaching free agent.

ESPN kicked around the topic on Get Up! Friday morning, posing the question of whether McCarthy should return to former Cowboys defensive lineman Marcus Spears.

“I say no,” Spears said. “It has nothing to do with me not thinking he can coach this team it’s … it’s just too much. This dude has been through Hell.”

The Cowboys seemed to a team on the rise in 2023, with an undefeated home record and the No. 2 seed in the NFC Playoffs. But the shocking blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers sent things spiraling, and this year they deteriorated to 7-9 entering the finale.

“He won 12 games three games in a row and all we talked about was that he should fired,” Spear said. “Mike McCarthy should be ready to go. I don’t think he’s cooked as a head coach. But the situation he’s in in Dallas … he’s finally figured out that he’s never going to have full autonomy. He should want to get out and put his own stamp on a franchise.”

McCarthy has been linked to as many as four NFL teams, including the New Orleans Saints where he was offensive coordinator 2000-04.