Mike McCarthy will not return as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in 2025, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on Monday.
Mike McCarthy Out As Cowboys Head Coach
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 five seasons, McCarthy and the Cowboys are parting ways.
McCarthy’s contract expired last Wednesday. However, the Cowboys held exclusive negotiating rights with McCarthy until Tuesday at midnight. In the end, the two sides could never come to terms on a new contract.
McCarthy will now be a free agent and can speak with any team regarding their vacancies. The Chicago Bears and New Orleans are expected to show interest, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Last week, the Bears requested permission to interview McCarthy about their head coaching vacancy. However, the Cowboys denied the request, as was their right during the exclusive negotiating rights period.
McCarthy ends his tenure as the Cowboys head coach with a 49-35 record in five seasons. McCarthy’s Cowboys went 12-5 in three consecutive seasons from 2021 to 2023. The Cowboys won one playoff game under McCarthy: a 31-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2023 Wild Card Round.
The Cowboys also suffered two disappointing playoff losses to the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers, both at home.
Dallas finished the 2024 campaign with a 7-10 record, missing the postseason. Injuries plagued the team the entire way, including a season-ending injury to Dak Prescott after a Week 9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Cowboys Next Head Coach
Odds on #Cowboys next head coach @BetOnline_ag: pic.twitter.com/x9Pcqnjfec
— Shan Shariff (@1053SS) January 13, 2025
With McCarthy out, who will be the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys?
Per BetOnline, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is the favorite to become Dallas’ next head coach. Moore was the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2022.
Colorado’s Deion Sanders is another favorite to become the new coach in Dallas. Sanders played for the Cowboys from 1995 to 1999 and helped lead Dallas to a championship victory in Super Bowl XXX.
One name who won’t be in consideration is Mike Vrabel, who accepted the head coaching position with the New England Patriots over the weekend.
