In the wake of the Dallas Cowboys’ 47-9 shellacking at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers, owner Jerry Jones appeared to be sending mixed signals regarding the future of head coach Mike McCarthy.

The loss, which was one of the worst defeats for the Cowboys in recent memory, not only left fans and analysts questioning the team’s direction, but also cast uncertainty over McCarthy’s tenure at the helm.

Jones, known for his candid and sometimes unpredictable comments, acknowledged the enormity of the defeat but was careful not to directly criticize his head coach. “We didn’t play well, we got beat in every area,” Jones said during a post-game interview.

However, he stopped short of throwing McCarthy under the bus, stressing that the blame should be shared across the team, including players, coaches, and the front office.

McCarthy, who took over the Cowboys in 2020 after a stint as head coach of the Green Bay Packers, has faced intense scrutiny over the past few seasons.

While he led Dallas to the playoffs in both 2021 and 2022, his team’s inability to make a deep postseason run has raised questions about his ability to elevate the Cowboys to a championship level.

The 47-9 loss to the 49ers, however, magnified these concerns. The Cowboys’ defense, which had been a strength throughout the season, was torched by 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, while the offense struggled to generate any consistent momentum.

The lopsided defeat exposed flaws in both preparation and execution, leading to widespread criticism of McCarthy’s game plan and in-game decisions.

Despite the troubling performance, Jones was hesitant to label the loss as a referendum on McCarthy’s job security. “It’s disappointing, and it’s embarrassing.

But we’re going to keep pushing forward. Mike is a good coach, and I believe in his ability to get us back on track,” Jones added.

Yet, his words carried an undertone of uncertainty, leaving open the possibility that further poor performances could lead to a reevaluation of McCarthy’s future.

While Jones may not be ready to make a drastic decision just yet, the combination of this loss and the mounting pressure on the Cowboys to contend for a Super Bowl could ultimately force his hand.

For now, McCarthy remains the man in charge, but with the spotlight now firmly on him, the upcoming games could decide not only the team’s season but his long-term standing in Dallas.