Dallas Cowboys and Mike McCarthy depart after new deal not reached

On January 14, 2025By Littum

DALLAS, TX – JANUARY 14: Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy watches 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)

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Mike McCarthy’s time as Dallas Cowboys head is officially over.

According to NFL Network insider Tom PelisseroMcCarthy and the Cowboys could not agree on a new contract after his previous five-year deal 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 had a losing season during his first and final years with the Cowboys, largely due to quarterback Dak Prescott suffering season-ending injuries.

With McCarthy’s departure, Dallas now becomes another head coaching destination for potential candidates. While the team has a wealth of talent on both sides of the ball, the presence of owner Jerry Jones could 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 Dallas … (+) Cowboys hug each other during pregame warmups before 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)

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For all intents and 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 negotiations fell through, leaving the NFL’s most prestigious franchise without a boss to begin their offseason.

Two of the hottest names on the head coaching 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 took the New England Patriots job. There have also been recent rumblings that he is intrigued by the Las Vegas Raiders.

Glenn has overseen the Lions defense for the past four seasons and recently put together a masterclass show against the Minnesota Vikings to win the NFC North title in Week 18. The former fourteen-year NFL veteran has already conducted virtual interviews with two franchises that he either played and/or coached for the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints.

Some longshot candidates consist of current head coaches residing in the college ranks. Jerry Jones’ relationship with Colorado Buffaloes leader Deion Sanders is documented, but hiring Coach Prime can only be considered if the Cowboys turn to Prescott and draft Deion’s son Shedeur Sanders.

Just as impossible 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 has one buyout clause within his contract that allows for a return to the NFL to happen, but it has recently been reported that the future Hall of Famer has no intentions of ever coaching in the pros again.

The head coaching options Dallas could go after are endless. What could limit their option pool could be money and control 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 … (+) sideline 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)

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According to ESPN’s Adam SchefterThe Dallas Cowboys declined the Chicago Bears’ request to interview Mike McCarthy for their head coaching position nearly a week ago. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Bears carried out their interview request for McCarthy again now that Dallas is no longer in the picture.

Coach McCarthy will have a market for his services and it has been reported that the Bears and Saints have interest. Both franchises need an offensive mind that can instill some structure and belief in their talented but directionless organizations.

While the Bears on paper appear to be the easy choice because of their cap space, young quarterback and diversity of roster talent, McCarthy would be playing under an owner and GM who have struggled to put it together. The Saints’ situation is far from ideal, either because of 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 that goes back to his days as offensive coordinator from 2000-2004.

Both organizations are McCarthy’s best shot at landing another head coaching job, but he will likely be each franchise’s secondary choice 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 compete against two other candidates who have more recent ties to the organization in Glenn and Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady.