Jerry Jones: Coaching candidate pool won't impact McCarthy decision

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones says the outcome of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium will not impact his decision on the team's coaching staff, whose contracts expire after the season.

"The hay is in the barn as far as our staff is concerned," Jones said on the K&C Masterpiece on 105.3 The Fan. ... I don't think something would happen out here Sunday that would impact where we're gonna be as we go forward."

According to ESPN's Todd Archer, Mike McCarthy and his staff's contracts expire on Jan. 14, allowing the organization to block interview requests until that day should they take time to decide the staff's futures.

The extra time between season's end and the date on McCarthy's expiring contract would seemingly allow Jones to determine if there is another head coaching candidate he'd prefer over McCarthy, but Jones said Friday that the pool of free agent coaches will not play a part in his decision on McCarthy.

"Not a lot. That is a big key. But in this particular case, that is not a big factor," Jones said.

Jones also spoke about the positive changes he's seen in the organization since McCarthy has been at the helm, Jon Gruden being a coaching candidate again, who will start at quarterback on Sunday, and more.