The Dallas Cowboys had a nice bounce back campaign in 2021 after missing the playoffs entirely in 2020. Still, they came up short against an underdog San Francisco 49ers squad in the NFC Wild Card round, which is not what the team or its fans were looking for last season.

There is a sense of optimism surrounding the team as they head into training camp, though. The Cowboys have a lot of talent on their roster, and it feels like they are on the verge of finally putting all the pieces together.

And according to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Mike McCarthy is the guy to lead the Cowboys to the promised land. Jones gave his backing to McCarthy in front of the media as training camp opened, but also offered a stiff warning in the process.

Jones flexed that if he didn't believe McCarthy could win, he had other options who he could turn to as a potential replacement for McCarthhy. That seems to be a nice little warning for McCarthy that his job may not be as secure as initially thought.

Article Continues Below
More Dallas Cowboys News
Brian Schottenheimer and Jerry Jones have a potential 2025 NFL Draft steal on their hands for the Cowboys
Rising Dallas Cowboys rookie turning heads in 2025 OTAsLorenzo J Reyna ·
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) leaves the field after an injury during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
Why Trevon Diggs could lose $500,000 before 2025 seasonBen Strauss ·
; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) runs after a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium.
The crucial upside that comes with George Pickens-Cowboys pairingAlex House ·
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) walks onto the field during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
Micah Parsons makes announcement amid contract uncertaintyZachary Draves ·
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) runs the ball in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High
Insider fires warning on Cowboys’ major signingMatty Breisch ·
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) walks off the field after a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Tim Hasselbeck reveals biggest Cowboys 2025 Dak Prescott concernZachary Weinberger ·

This is certainly an interesting statement from Jerry Jones. On one hand, he offers support for McCarthy in his pursuit of a championship with the Cowboys. But on the other hand, he makes it clear that he has other options if McCarthy ends up not panning out this season or shortly in the future. That seems like a thinly-veiled warning rather than a compliment if you ask me.

McCarthy probably isn't fully on the hot seat yet, but if the Cowboys struggle, Jerry Jones has made it clear that he has other options to come in and take McCarthy's spot. That has to be a concerning proposition for McCarthy, and maybe his status as the Cowboys coach bears watching as the 2022 season unfolds.