Mike McCarthy's contract with the Cowboys is about to expire. Here's the timeline fans need to know about a decision on the head coach.

So it should be no surprise if the Cowboys take the exclusive negotiating window they have with Mike McCarthy and his entire coaching staff all the way up to Tuesday's deadline. They did it with quarterback Dak Prescott's contract.

This is what Cowboys purgatory looks like. Mike McCarthy’s job with the team is very much undecided with his contract expiring in less than a week. But as ESPN reported Thursday, the “future” was on the table during a recent discussion between the Super Bowl-winning coach and team owner Jerry Jones.