On the Dallas Cowboys’ locker-room cleanout day at The Star, a somber atmosphere prevailed as most attendees swiftly departed, seeking to evade discussions about the humiliating elimination suffered against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
This defeat marked yet another season without reaching the NFC championship game, extending the Cowboys’ playoff drought to 28 consecutive seasons.
Addressing the team on Monday to conclude the season, owner and general manager Jerry Jones conveyed his annoyance and frustration at the Dallas Cowboys’ premature exit from the playoffs, marking the third consecutive season under Mike McCarthy without advancing far.
Cornerback Jourdan Lewis shared that Jones emphasized the imperative need for victory, asserting that as the Dallas Cowboys, they possess the potential to secure significant achievements. Lewis mentioned Jones’ strong desire for immediate success, emphasizing the team’s responsibility to fulfill this urgency.
Expressing concern about running out of time to witness his team become champions once more, owner Jerry Jones emphasized his strong desire for a championship ring, according to team returner KaVontae Turpin.
Turpin conveyed Jones’s eagerness and sense of urgency for success. Additionally, cornerback Jourdan Lewis shared details of coach Mike McCarthy’s final speech with the team on Monday, where McCarthy expressed empathy and a genuine desire for the team’s success, underscoring the collective aspiration of the players.
With the future of Mike McCarthy yet to be determined, both Jourdan Lewis and KaVontae Turpin stood by his coaching tenure, which spans four seasons and includes three consecutive playoff appearances.
McCarthy boasts a 42-25 record with the Cowboys, reflecting a 62.7 percent winning percentage—the highest in team history. However, his postseason record stands at 1-3.
When addressing McCarthy’s tenure, Lewis remarked, “These are some of the toughest jobs in America: quarterback and head coach of the Cowboys.”
The urgency to win was emphasized by cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who conveyed the team owner’s message to reporters. The Dallas Cowboys, being a prestigious team, were expected to achieve success, and Jones expressed a strong desire for immediate victory.
The sense of urgency had always been present, but Jones made it explicit that it was crucial to address the current situation and strive for success without allowing the prevailing feeling of defeat to persist.
A commendable job has been done by McCarthy, taking into account various challenges, according to Jourdan Lewis. Despite facing media scrutiny and external pressures, the team emphasized unity and support.
Lewis expressed gratitude for McCarthy’s impact on his career, citing the team’s improvement from struggling to surpass .500 to achieving three consecutive 12-win seasons under McCarthy’s leadership. Lewis expressed hope for McCarthy’s return based on the positive outcomes observed during his tenure.
