This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.

When the Dallas Cowboys hired Mike McCarthy to be their ninth coach in franchise history, the hope was he would take them from a perennial playoff hopeful to a Super Bowl contender.

Things have not gone to plan thus far.

McCarthy has enjoyed success during most of his time in Dallas. The Cowboys have made the playoffs in three of his first four seasons, with the lone exception being the COVID-impacted 2020 season during which Dak Prescott suffered a season ending broken leg.

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But as good as McCarthy's regular-season record has been, the Cowboys have frequently flopped in the playoffs. That has caused him to routinely be under scrutiny and face rumors about his job security.

If things don't improve for McCarthy in Year 5, many believe Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones will orchestrate a change in leadership. Here's what to know about that speculation and the expectations McCarthy is facing in 2024.

Will the Cowboys fire Mike McCarthy?

The Cowboys aren't likely to make a decision about McCarthy's future until after the 2024 NFL season and 2025 postseason. Dallas has only fired a coach in-season once – Wade Phillips after a 1-7 start in 2010 – and McCarthy has made the playoffs three straight seasons. So, barring a disaster, McCarthy should remain with the team through the end of the season.

That said, McCarthy does seem to be coaching for his job this year. There were rumors about his job security following the Cowboys' 48-32 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round of the 2024 NFL playoffs, and they didn't just stem from Dallas' defensive struggles in that contest.

Why? Jones had been lukewarm when addressing McCarthy's job security after the team's 38-10 Week 18 win over the Washington Commanders to clinch the NFC's No. 2 seed.

"We'll see how each game goes in the playoffs," Jones said when asked about McCarthy's future at that time.

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McCarthy's job hung in balance for a few days following their elimination from the playoffs, and the Cowboys weighed their options. Eventually, Jones released a statement announcing that McCarthy would return for a fifth season.

"I believe this team is very close and capable of achieving our ultimate goals, and the best step forward for us will be with Mike McCarthy as our head coach," Jones said. "There is great benefit to continuing the team's progress under Mike's leadership as our head coach."

"While we're all disappointed with the loss on Sunday and with our playoff record, I am 100 percent supportive of him as our head coach and ability to reach our goals," he added.

Jones stopped short of giving McCarthy and Co. a verbal ultimatum to make and succeed in the 2025 NFL playoffs during the offseason. The owner has also taken on some of the responsibility for the team's struggles out the gate in 2024, but it's clear that his patience with McCarthy is running thin.

That could cause McCarthy's seat to heat up considerably if the Cowboys can't reverse their slow start.

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Mike McCarthy record

McCarthy entered the 2024 NFL season with a record of 167-102-2 as an NFL head coach. That included a mark of 125-77-2 with the Packers and a 42-25 record with the Cowboys.

McCarthy has had just four losing seasons compared to 11 with double-digit wins during his 17 full NFL seasons to date. The 2024 season marks his 18th as a head coach at the NFL level dating back to 2006.

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Mike McCarthy playoff record

While McCarthy has a respectable regular-season record, he has been closer to average in the playoffs. He has an 11-11 record and has not won multiple games in the same postseason since the Packers went 2-1 in the 2017 NFL playoffs.

McCarthy is just 1-3 in his playoff appearances with the Cowboys. Their lone victory came over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in what turned out to be Tom Brady's final game as an NFL quarterback.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Mike McCarthy is on the hot seat during Cowboys 2024 season