Head coach Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys are parting ways, the team confirmed Monday.
McCarthy, whose contract with Dallas is set to expire Tuesday, couldn't agree on the length of a new deal with the team, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, who was the first to report that McCarthy was out as the Cowboys' coach. The two sides reportedly had positive discussions last week but failed to reach an agreement.
"Over the past week, Mike and I had the opportunity to conduct a joint review of all aspects of the past season, our players and staff, and also spent considerable time discussing the road forward for the team," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement Monday. "These discussions were thorough and received an appropriate amount of time and depth to cover. 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."
With McCarthy now free to speak to other teams, the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints have shown interest in the veteran coach, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Chicago requested an interview with him Jan. 6, but the Cowboys denied it.
McCarthy, 61, posted a 49-35 regular-season record across five seasons with the Cowboys, but they went 7-10 in 2024 in a season plagued by injuries. Dallas - a top-five team in scoring offense and defense in 2023 - ranked 31st in points allowed this past season after losing defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Offensively, the club placed 21st in points scored after quarterback Dak Prescott missed the campaign's final nine games due to a hamstring injury.
Dallas made three playoff appearances under McCarthy's watch but wasn't able to get over its playoff hump, posting a 1-3 postseason record. The franchise hasn't advanced past the divisional round since the 1995 season.
McCarthy previously coached the Green Bay Packers for 13 years and helped the team win a Super Bowl title with Aaron Rodgers.
The Cowboys - who have Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb signed long term and are expected to extend linebacker Micah Parsons - instantly become one of the NFL's most interesting head coaching vacancies this cycle.
"We will commence a search process immediately to hire the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys," Jones said.
The Cowboys don't have a front-runner for the job yet, but Bill Belichick could be near the top of Dallas' wish list, sources told Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. However, the New England Patriots legend recently became head coach at the University of North Carolina.
Another potential challenge for Dallas could be the timing. Given that the Cowboys won't interview members of the Detroit Lions or Kansas City Chiefs coaching staffs prior to Monday evening, Dallas would have to wait until the conclusion of those teams' playoff runs. Detroit has arguably the cycle's hottest candidate in offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who's had four head coaching interviews. Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo have also generated interest.
The Las Vegas Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New York Jets are also looking for a new boss. The Patriots recently hired head coach Mike Vrabel to replace Jerod Mayo.
