DALLAS, TX – JANUARY 14: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys looks on before kickoff … [+] against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Wild Card playoff game at AT&T Stadium on January 14, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Mike McCarthy’s time as the Dallas Cowboys head has officially come to an end.
According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, McCarthy and the Cowboys couldn’t agree to terms on a new contract after his previous five-year deal had expired. The former Super Bowl winning head coach is now free to explore other NFL head coaching opportunities.
From 2020-2024, McCarthy compiled a 49-35 overall record with Dallas that featured two division titles, three consecutive 12-win seasons, three straight playoff appearances and one playoff victory. The eighteen-year head coaching veteran did have a losing season during his first and last year with the Cowboys, largely due to quarterback Dak Prescott suffering season-ending injuries.
With the departure of McCarthy, Dallas now becomes another head coaching destination for potential candidates. While the team does have a bevy of talent on both sides of the ball, owner Jerry Jones’ presence may be the deciding factor in the quality of candidate Dallas can obtain.
Where does Dallas go from here?
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 10: Quarterback Dak Prescott #4 and team owner Jerry Jones of the Dallas … [+] Cowboys hug each other during pregame warm ups prior to the start of an NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on August 10, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Getty Images
For all intended purposes, reports around the league were that McCarthy and the Cowboys wanted to get a deal done to continue their partnership. For whatever reason, contract talks fell through leaving the NFL’s most prestigious franchise without a headman to begin their offseason.
Two of the hottest names on the head coach hiring market are Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Johnson has already interviewed for the Chicago Bears and recently hired New England Patriots jobs. There’s also been recent rumblings of him being intrigued with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Glenn has overseen the Lions defense the last four seasons and recently put together a masterclass showing against the Minnesota Vikings to clinch the NFC North title in Week 18. The former fourteen-year NFL veteran has already conducted virtual interviews with two franchises he either played and/or coached for in the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints.
Some longshot candidates consist of current head coaches that reside in the college ranks. Jerry Jones’ relationship with Colorado Buffaloes headman Deion Sanders is documented, but hiring Coach Prime may only be considered if the Cowboys pivot off of Prescott and draft Deion’s son Shedeur Sanders.
Equally unfeasible would be for Dallas to convince Bill Belichick to bolt from the University of North Carolina for another NFL head coaching opportunity. The eight-time super bowl winning head coach does have a buyout clause within his contract that allows for an NFL return to happen, but it’s been recently reported the future Hall of Famer has no intentions of coaching in the pros ever again.
The head coaching options Dallas could go for are endless. What may constrict their option pool could be money and control for as long as owner Jerry Jones mans the controls from above.
Where Will Coach McCarthy Land?
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 30: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys coaches from the … [+] sidelines during the 2nd quarter of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Getty Images
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Dallas Cowboys denied the Chicago Bears request to interview Mike McCarthy for their head coaching position almost a week ago. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Bears executed their interview request for McCarthy once again now that Dallas is no longer in the picture.
Coach McCarthy will have a market for his services, and it’s been reported that the Bears and Saints have interest. Both franchises are in need of an offensive mind that can infuse some structure and belief within their talented, but directionless organizations.
While on paper the Bears seem to be the easy choice due to their cap space, young quarterback and variety of roster talent, McCarthy would be playing under an owner and GM who’ve struggled to put it together. The Saints situation is far from ideal either due to their negative cap space standing, aging quarterback play and lack of youthful high-upside talent, but McCarthy has a relationship with the team’s general manager Mickey Loomis dating back to his days as an offensive coordinator from 2000-2004.
Both organizations are McCarthy’s best chance of getting another head coaching job, but he’ll likely be each franchise’s secondary choice for if their preferred candidates go elsewhere. Chicago is keen on Johnson, former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
As for the Saints, McCarthy will be competing against two other candidates who have more recent ties with the organization in Glenn and Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
