Jerry Jones says McCarthy will return, calls talk of firing 'ridiculous'

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed Tuesday that Mike McCarthy will be Dallas' head coach next season, calling any questions about his future with the team absurd.

"How ridiculous is this conversation in terms of having any meat on the bone," Jones told 105.3 The Fan, according to ESPN's Todd Archer.

Jones added: "I don't think I ever dreamed of Mike not being the coach."

Dallas sits at a disappointing 4-9 in McCarthy's first year as the team's head coach. Jones stressed patience with McCarthy, pointing to slow starts by Cowboys icons Tom Landry and Jimmy Johnson, according to the Dallas Morning News' Calvin Watkins.

Landry started his Cowboys tenure with an 0-11-1 record in 1960 while Johnson endured a 1-15 mark in his first year with Dallas. Both coaches are in the Hall of Fame.

The Cowboys have faced many obstacles in McCarthy's inaugural campaign, including the loss of star quarterback Dak Prescott to a season-ending injury early in the year. However, Dallas' defense has struggled this season, allowing a league-worst 30.8 points per game.