NFL analyst claims Jerry Jones could be secretly ‘interviewing other people’ behind Mike McCarthy’s back 

Jerry Jones and Mike McCarthy could be in the final stretch of their working relationship. However, they also could be at the outset of the next half-decade. Based on how much time it has taken Jones to come to an agreement with McCarthy, the end might be closer than a new beginning.

Jones might be looking to exhaust all possible outcomes but that would include some secrecy. At least, that is what one NFL analyst suggested could be possible. Speaking on Tuesday's edition of "Get Up," NFL analyst Mike Greenberg argued that Jones could be "trying to have his cake and eat it too."

"He is buying time. It is because he's trying to have his cake and eat it too, which is to say, keep Mike McCarthy as a possibility, but see if he can get someone else," Greenberg said [00:09:22].

"The option right now Jerry [has] of interviewing other people and doing all that kind of stuff while Mike McCarthy is interviewing with Chicago and whatever else," he added.

In other words, if Mike McCarthy and Jerry Jones were the business equivalent of marriage, it just became open.

Exploring potential non-Cowboys landing spots for Mike McCarthy

Mike McCarthy at Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles - Source: Imagn

The Cowboys' head coach for the moment could end up in several places if his tenure were to end on Jan. 14. Some argue that based on his recent track record of getting to the playoffs in three of the last four seasons and winning 12 games in those seasons, McCarthy could be the top candidate of the coaching cycle.

If his contract expires, McCarthy could end up with the Bears, who appear to be desperate to manufacture an offensive explosion with Caleb Williams. They added Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze and DJ Moore in recent seasons, proving that their biggest objective is this. Adding an offensive-minded coach with playoff and Super Bowl experience would fall right in line.

Of course, Jones could sign McCarthy and offer to trade him for another coach somewhere else, profiting for the Cowboys in the process. If that were to occur, the number of options could be much different, especially if the trade partner sends over their current coach as well.

For example, if the Cowboys were to send McCarthy to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Mike McDaniel (who missed the playoffs for the first time this season) and some picks, he could move on from McCarthy and potentially get some picks back in one fell swoop.

That would be one of the biggest developments in the NFL of the young offseason, but there is a strategic reason for Jones to attempt it. What will the Dallas Cowboys general manager do?

If any of the above quotes are used, credit "Get Up," and H/T Sportskeeda.