Dallas Cowboys and Mike McCarthy Part Ways After 5 Seasons

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

After finishing the season with a 7-10 record, due mostly in part to the team’s continuing injury issues that became the roster’s biggest thorn in the side, there was no real clarity on what McCarthy’s future held in store.

Of course, that didn’t stop some of the team’s most important players and leaders, like Dak Prescott, from ensuring his support for McCarthy was felt throughout the league. Stating at the time: “I’m going to push and be in the corner and pushing for Mike to get a second contract… and just the opportunity to do things more with a healthy team. I’m all for it.” it’s clear that for the team’s star passer, if somebody deserved a do-over, it was McCarthy.

Thank you, Coach McCarthy#DallasCowboys | 📰 https://t.co/lZcM1wJESO pic.twitter.com/FKAHQ2MFWB

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) January 13, 2025

But then again, we’re talking about Jerry’s team, not Dak’s, Micah Parsons’, or CeeDee Lamb’s. No, Jerry’s team. And in Jerry’s team, only Jerry’s opinion matters, and Jerry’s decisions are final.

So, What’s Next for McCarthy?

Now that Coach McCarthy will finally be able to hit the open market and see what’s potentially out there as far as HC jobs go, two teams have already started showing some interest here and there.

On the one hand, there’s the New Orleans Saints. Finishing the season with a 5-12 record, the Saints went from being potential contenders in the NFC South to the team most opponents had marked down in their NFL schedule as easy win scenarios.

On the other hand, there’s the Chicago Bears. Yes, those Bears who started the season as NFL picks and predictions darlings, thanks to the hype surrounding rookie QB Caleb Williams and the effect he was bound to have within the team.

“I think Mike McCarthy is gonna be a strong candidate in Chicago and New Orleans..

If the Saints are in on Mike McCarthy then Aaron Glenn and the Jets would become a logical match down the line” ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/mfzGUFc7r2

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 13, 2025

Now, I don’t know about you, but I see a slew of potential from a McCarthy/Bears mashup.

McCarthy, an offense-driven coach with playoff and title-winning experience, could spearhead Williams’ second year in the pros and help him become the pivotal piece in Chicago’s puzzle that the team desperately needs.

Besides that, his relationship with players, way of managing the locker room, and winning record make his case almost undeniable for Chicago to pass up on.

I have no idea if Mike McCarthy will get a head coaching job or with which team if he does, but I think he’s a much better coach than he is generally perceived as.

He’s done good work with QBs, coached young rosters, kept players invested during down years (this year) and won a… https://t.co/jQSmqN09SD

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 13, 2025

The Bears don’t run into opportunities like these often. So why not take it?

Who Will Coach the Cowboys in 2025?

Leaving McCarthy for a second, the other big question is, who will be the new head coach for the Cowboys? While rumors have been flying around and betting odds are already being posted about potential candidates, a few names make the most sense for fans, experts, and, who knows, even Jones.

𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: Former #Cowboys TE Jason Witten is a candidate for the #Cowboys Head Coaching job, per @NickHarrisFWST. pic.twitter.com/7W80Wr5jNW

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 13, 2025

While NFL rumors are already starting to swirl around with the name Deion Sanders all over them, if I were a Cowboys fan, I would be thinking more realistically.

Is a Sanders Takeover coming soon to Dallas? 👀#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/OJoaeWqsu9

— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) January 13, 2025

Yes, the idea of Sanders coaching one of the NFL’s most polarizing franchises seems like a match made in heaven until it’s not.

Everybody who knows football and knows Jones and Sanders’ personalities can easily understand why that mix of personalities could lead to a massive explosion at AT&T Field if things start going bad.

If Dallas wishes to make the most out of landing a head coach that can help them become title contenders once again, the team not only needs to invest in getting the best person for the job, but they also need to invest in fixing or even healing the broken football culture that continues to flood the team.

“You’re moving on to a new head coach, but is the culture and the situation going to change?” @mspears96 on the Cowboys and Mike McCarthy. pic.twitter.com/2oKjECHJb2

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 13, 2025

Once changes are made, truly palpable changes, then the idea of hiring a head coach who could instill a new title-contending and winning culture could be a reality. Before that, I wouldn’t expect miracles out of non-believers.

Cowboys fans are celebrating but don’t realize that most coaches in the league want nothing to do with Jerry Jones. pic.twitter.com/JhkMoXbzyP

— 🖲️ (@texansruinedme) January 13, 2025

At the end of the day though, this is Jerry’s team to make or break, and from the looks of it and how he handled McCarthy’s departure, I wouldn’t be surprised if he decides to be the team’s new head coach.

Jerry Jones will be the Owner, GM, and Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys pic.twitter.com/URp46GpC93

— Jerry Jones Burner (@Dallas_Burner) January 13, 2025

I wish I were kidding here, but with Jones, you might as well expect anything and everything.