Cowboys will not bring back head coach Mike McCarthy

Cowboys will not bring back head coach Mike McCarthy

It’s not Black Monday. But the Dallas Cowboys will not be bringing back head coach Mike McCarthy, whose contract expired after 2024, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter was among the first to report.

Breaking: Mike McCarthy is not expected to return to Dallas and is now set to become a free agent, a source tells @AdamSchefter.

He’s expected to be a candidate in Chicago and New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/fUUve2ex0i

— ESPN (@espn) January 13, 2025

According to NFL.com insider Tom Pelissero, the two sides “couldn’t agree on length” of his next contract.

Sources: Mike McCarthy is out as #Cowboys coach.

The sides couldn’t agree on length of contract and McCarthy will pursue other opportunities. He leaves Dallas with a winning record and three playoff appearances. pic.twitter.com/MJzWvUlfjU

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 13, 2025

McCarthy, 61, went 49-35 in five seasons with the organization, though is coming off a 7-10 injury-riddled season after three straight 12-win seasons.

Though despite the regular season success, McCarthy continued to be a poor game manager while not having any postseason success, going 1-3.

It’s very peculiar why the Cowboys–Jerry Jones–waited one week to ponder whether or not he would bring McCarthy back after the Cowboys didn’t play any competitive football for the final two months of the season. That was his time to decide because the season was lost. Now, Dallas is a week behind in interviews–even after declining to allow McCarthy to have interviews with the Chicago Bears.

The Bears and New Orleans Saints, who still have head coaching vacancies, are expected to have interest in the longtime head coach.

BREAKING: Mike Vrabel Hired As New England Patriots Next Head Coach

The New England Patriots are the only team that has filled their head coaching vacancy thus far, hiring former Tennesee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. As of right now, three other teams outside of the Saints, Bears and Cowboys–the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders–are in the mix for a new head coach.

Who do you think Dallas should pursue next?

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This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates.

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