The surprise Mike McCarthy twist that could bite Cowboys

All season long many have wondered if Mike McCarthy’s time with the Cowboys (7-8) will be over after the season, with the injury-riddled team underperforming and the head coach in the final year of his contract.

That may turn out to be true, but perhaps not for the reason most would expect.

McCarthy could be the one who breaks up with Dallas to pursue other head coaching jobs, according to USA Today.

The 61-year-old hired Don Yee as his agent, the outlet reported. Yee, Tom Brady’s longtime agent, also repped the Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh and Broncos’ Sean Payton for their recent NFL comebacks.

And while things went haywire in Dallas this season and the team went 1-3 in playoff games under McCarthy, he did lead them to three consecutive 12-5 seasons and two division titles.

He also has the allure of being a Super Bowl-winning coach, even if his ring with the Packers will have come 14 years ago when his contract expires.

McCarthy, who has been publicly supported by the Cowboys’ stars, figures to be in demand, so if Jerry Jones does want to bring him back after not giving him a contract extension before the season, it could prove difficult.

And Jones put forth an intriguing twist on the saga by going out of his way to praise McCarthy after the Cowboys’ win over the Buccaneers on Sunday night, hours after they were officially eliminated from playoff contention.

“Proud of those guys, boy,” Jones told reporters after the game. “They wouldn’t give it up out there. So, I’m real proud of them, and Mike McCarthy, he just won’t let them not think that they’re not playing for a Super Bowl out there.”