The lame-duck season for Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is officially over after the 23-19 loss to the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium brought the curtain down on a poor year.

But has it also brought down the curtain on McCarthy’s time in Dallas?

That will be a topic of hot debate in the coming hours with Black Monday fast approaching, but as we know with owner Jerry Jones, he won’t rush into a decision.

However an important aspect of this coaching debate is whether or not Jerry wants McCarthy to return. Our Mike Fisher had already reported in the affirmative, but just in case …

Does McCarthy want a return to The Star?

“Absolutely, I’m invested here, and the Cowboys have a lot invested in me,” McCarthy said. “Then there’s a personal side to all these decisions. They all point in the right direction. I think any time you invest your time, energy, belief, the connections you have, the relationships that are in place here, the understanding of what the organization can do and is willing to do, those are all positive attributes that you take into account.”

The coach added one more note in what amounts to a bold resume announcement straight to Jones.

“I don’t like to talk about myself that way, but I’ll just be clear: I’m a winner. I know how to win. I’ve won a championship,” McCarthy said. “And that’s who I am.”

So, it is clear that McCarthy wants to be retained as the Cowboys’ head coach. Now, we eagerly await the outcomes of meetings over the next couple of days to see which direction the Cowboys will take.

At game’s end, McCarthy positioned himself inside the door of the locker room and greeted his staffers with embraces and a whispered word.

It is clear McCarthy wants a return to Dallas. Let’s see if Dallas wants McCarthy.

As McCarthy said, “We’ll see where it goes.”