Mike McCarthy is set to take over play calling duties for the Dallas Cowboys next season. That is after the decision to move on from offensive coordinator Kellen Moore was made earlier this week.

Moore did a lot of good with the Cowboys. He and Dak Prescott helped the Cowboys lead the NFL in scoring and have the best total offense over the past few seasons. Still, it was clear that changes needed to be made. Especially after yet another playoff exit.

Therefore, McCarthy is going back to doing what he is comfortable with: calling plays. After all, that is what got him to where he is now. Calling an offense led to him becoming an NFL head coach.

Dallas is hoping that is part of what gets them over the hump. Perhaps changing who is calling the offense will give the Cowboys a different look. It makes sense on paper. Something had to change.

Mike McCarthy has two years left on his deal. Might as go down swinging calling plays.

— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) January 30, 2023

However, that also means there is more pressure on McCarthy to win. It's his offense now and he will be the one calling the shots. That means he must be able to manage the game and put his players in positions to succeed.

Cowboys following key trend

Fortunately, Mike McCarthy has done exactly that before. McCarthy called plays for the Green Bay Packers when the team won Super Bowl XLV in 2011.

Dallas certainly wants that kind of success to repeat. Pieces are there to make a run, headlined by Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Zack Martin.

Furthermore, that is the way the NFL is. Several of the best coaches in the game right now call their own plays. That does not seem to be just a conicidence.

Head coaches who also call their own plays: Shanahan, McVay, Reid, LaFleur, McDaniels, McDaniel, Sirianni, Pederson, Taylor, Reich, Stefanski, Smith, O’Connell, and formerly Kingsbury. In other words, many many many of the good ones.

— Bob Sturm (@SportsSturm) January 30, 2023

Obviously, this does not automatically point to the Dallas Cowboys winning the Super Bowl next season. There is a lot of work to be done this offseason before any of those aspirations can be realistic.

Still, it's worth noting that there is a trend. But more importantly, it is evident that Mike McCarthy knows he needs to win and is taking matters into his own hands. That has the chance to pay off big for the Cowboys.

Featured image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports