Sources – Cowboys McCarthy has yet to talk about a deal as the deadline approaches

FRISCO, Texas — With the exclusive negotiating window closing Tuesday at midnight, the Dallas Cowboys and coach Mike McCarthy have not had any talks on a new deal, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter Monday.

McCarthy would become a free agent as early as 12:01 a.m. Wednesday without a new deal, and the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints are expected to be interested in talking to him about their vacancies. Last week, the Bears had an official request for permission to speak with McCarthy that was denied by the Cowboys.

The only team to hire a new head coach since the end of the season is the New England Patriots with Mike Vrabel.

Last week, McCarthy and owner and general manager Jerry Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones spoke at least three times. The initial discussions were about what happened in 2024, where they went through their normal end of season protocol. The conversations on other days were about the future and what might change in the Cowboys’ approach to roster planning and/or McCarthy’s approach to offense and to his coaching staff.

In 2019, Jones allowed Jason Garrett to practice with an expiring contract. The Cowboys did not issue an announcement that Garrett would not be back until a week after the season and after the team’s interviews with McCarthy and Marvin Lewis.

McCarthy was named coach of the Cowboys 10 days after the season ended.

The Cowboys went 7-10 in 2024 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020. McCarthy posted a 49-35 regular-season record with Dallas, but is 1-3 in the playoffs.

The Cowboys experienced a large number of injuries to key players, including quarterback Dak Prescott, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, guard Zack Martin, cornerback Trevon Diggs and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, all of whom ended the season on injured reserve. Pro Bowl pass rusher Micah Parsons (ankle) missed four games and cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) missed 11.

Even before the injuries, however, the Cowboys struggled on both sides of the ball, losing their first five home games by 118 points. They rallied and won four games in five games, but lost their final two games after being eliminated from the postseason.

Besides McCarthy, his entire coaching staff is not under contract. The assistants have the same negotiation window closed on Tuesday at midnight.