Breaking: Mike McCarthy will not return as Cowboys head coach in 2025 :: Cowboys Wire
What seemed unlikely over the weekend was suddenly announced as fact around midday Monday. The ninth head coach in franchise history, McCarthy now leaves Dallas with a 49-35 regular-season mark over five years. Early reports suggested that the two sides may have clashed over the proposed length of a new contract. McCarthy’s tenure will officially end at midnight on Tuesday.
Jerry Jones on McCarthy exit from Cowboys: ‘I have great respect for Mike’ :: The Mothership
The owner praised McCarthy’s “qualifications and track record of success” while also referencing the “very unique and challenging times” that came during his tenure. But, Jones, said in a statement, “prior to reaching the point of contract negotiations, though, it became mutually clear that it would be better for each of us to head in a different direction.” Jones vowed that the search for the team’s next head coach would start immediately.
21 candidates for Cowboys head coach opening after McCarthy walks out the door :: Cowboys Wire
From Ben Johnson to Todd Monken, Brian Flores to Bobby Slowik, Kliff Kingsbury to Aaron Glenn, there is no shortage of qualified names for the Cowboys to consider. Bill Belichick would require a $10 million buyout of his contract at North Carolina; don’t overlook Wes Phillips, whose father was also once the head coach in Dallas.
Troy Aikman delivers brutally honest assessment of Cowboys’ head coach opening :: Awful Announcing
With Mike McCarthy out as coach, expect Dallas Cowboys to go after their ‘golden child’ (Opinion) :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Kellen Moore may finally have the inside track on the head coaching job he was once considered the heir apparent to. Moore was once retained by Jones even before McCarthy got to town, but the arranged marriage never really worked, despite Moore’s offense putting up huge numbers. But the Joneses love Moore; now after seasons spent with both the Chargers and Eagles, he may be called back to The Star.
Dallas Cowboys head coaching tracker: rumors, interviews and more :: All DLLS
Jones and Deion Sanders have reportedly spoken about the Cowboys’ head coach opening and will remain talking, according to reports. But it should be noted that no formal interview has been scheduled. Also, Sanders has a buyout of $8 million if he were to be hired away from Colorado… and Jones is notoriously cost-conscious when it comes to head coaches. Anything is possible, though.
Sanders confirms conversation with Jones :: Adam Schefter
ESPN suggests Cowboys legendary $81 million player could be shock head coach candidate :: Cowboys Wire
Depending on who you listen to, Jason Witten’s name could get some buzz as a serious candidate to take the reins in Dallas. The franchise’s all-time receptions and receiving yards leader has been coaching his son’s high school team for four seasons and has won back-to-back state championships, but that’s the extent of his coaching experience. A jump directly to the head coach’s office at the highest-profile team on the planet would be staggering, to say the least.
Here’s why the Cowboys should hire Joe Brady to be their next head coach :: Cowboys Wire
One of McCarthy’s big plusses when Jones hired him was his experience; would Jones roll the dice now on the Bills’ offensive mastermind despite him never having been a head coach? Brady is a star on the rise who has a track record of getting the absolute most out of his quarterbacks. He’s shown commitment to the ground game but strives for balance, uses read-option and personnel diversification, and dials up plenty of big plays.
Mike McCarthy got fired the Cowboys way :: D Magazine
There is a way to do business in football, and there is the way the Jones family does it. Wins, losses, transactions, deadlines, norms: none of those matter if they threaten the dollars. McCarthy likely deserved to be shown the door for his inability to get the team into the later rounds of the playoffs, but his dismissal was just pain clumsy by the Joneses, all in the name of selling the drama. Discussing why the Cowboys are dumb for not doing the sensible thing is still discussing them, which means paying attention, which is the whole point for Jerry Jones.
Jerry Jones’ approach to parting with Mike McCarthy made no sense and set Cowboys back :: The Athletic
The Cowboys could have spoken with hot coordinator candidates on this year’s playoff teams, but they didn’t over the past eight days… and that window is now closed. If the guy they’re eyeing goes to the Super Bowl, they won’t be allowed to talk to him until afterward… almost a month from now. The Cowboys are now a full week behind other teams searching for a head coach.
Un-complicate It: Cowboys would be wise to find way to retain coach Al Harris :: Cowboys Wire
Harris may be the assistant most Cowboys fans are most scared of losing. The defensive backs coach will get a lot of attention when his negotiating window opens. A new Cowboys coach may prefer to clean house and build his own staff, but Jones has kept valued staffers locked in despite a regime change before. What the Cowboys cannot afford to do is allow Harris to leave without expressing their interest in retaining him in some capacity. The 50-year-old’s rank as assistant head coach could even make him a legitimate candidate to ascend to the head role in Dallas.
Former Vikings coach’s career in the NFL could be coming to an end :: The Viking Age
Mike Zimmer’s return stint as the defensive coordinator in Dallas will be just a one-year arrangement. The 68-year-old is reportedly considering retirement now that he’s been released from his contract.
Reports: McCarthy expected to draw immediate interest; several Cowboys 2025 opponents in the mix :: Cowboys Wire
The Saints and Bears are already said to be circling to get an interview with McCarthy. The Jets are not believed to be interested after vetting him in 2019, but the Jaguars and Raiders could enter the chat at any time. Dallas is slated to play Chicago, Las Vegas, and the Jets next season, so a rematch could well be in the works.
Cowboys predicted to award $175 million contract in 2025, highest ever to non-QB :: Cowboys Wire
Another Cowboys offseason, another Cowboys superstar waiting for a mega-extension of his rookie deal. Micah Parsons has hinted he’d take a hometown discount to help the club acquire outside talent, but all indications are he’s due an NFL-record amount for a defensive player. Maybe something in the $175 million neighborhood? Parsons deserves it.
Trade Block: ESPN predicts Kyle Pitts, Breece Hall available, Cowboys should consider both :: Cowboys Wire
ESPN believes Atlanta could deal Pitts, and the Jets may seek to trade Hall. The 2025 draft is seen as one deep in running backs, but Dallas may want to use their mid-round picks on other positions. Hall has just one year remaining on his rookie deal before free agency, and may not command much in return. As for Pitts, the former first-rounder’s production has fallen off since his rookie season, but he could be a great fit alongside Dak Prescott in the Dallas offense.
2025 Free Agency: Former Longhorns star, UDFA, projected as great fit for Cowboys defense :: Cowboys Wire
The defensive tackle position could get a makeover in Dallas this offseason. DeMarcus Lawrence and Osa Odighizuwa are set to become free agents, and Mazi Smith has even been mentioned as a trade candidate. Poona Ford could be worth a look; the Charger has been a full-time starter in all but two of his seven seasons in the league. This year, he tied three different career highs in sacks (3), tackles for loss (8), and QB hits (9) while being a dominant run-stuffer; something the Cowboys have lacked for a long time.
