Mike McCarthy's tenure with the Dallas Cowboys didn't start smoothly at all. With the COVID-19 pandemic causing major restrictions across the NFL in 2020, McCarthy didn't get to see the team in person until August, as everything was done virtually. A season-ending ankle injury to quarterback Dak Prescott didn't help either as the Cowboys finished 6-10 and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
Once the 2021 campaign rolled around, McCarthy got another shot to show the prowess he exhibited during his days with the Green Bay Packers, where he won a Super Bowl in 2010.