Despite having a one-week window for exclusive negotiations with the experienced coach at the end of the season, the Dallas Cowboys botched their extension negotiations with Mike McCarthy. After McCarthy left Dallas, the Cowboys frantically looked for a new head coach. Brian Schottenheimer, the team’s long-time offensive coordinator, was ultimately hired. McCarthy conducted interviews for a few of the open coaching positions in the meantime.
McCarthy has now decided on his coaching future, with the New Orleans Saints being the final remaining position. NFL insider Tom Pelissero on X claims that he has decided to skip the upcoming season in favour of concentrating on the hiring cycle in 2026.
McCarthy led the Cowboys to three consecutive 12-win seasons and three postseason trips in five years. Nevertheless, Dallas concluded the 2024 season with a 7-10 record, and under McCarthy, the team never advanced past the divisional round of the playoffs, going 1-3 overall.
It feels a little odd to decide to take a year off so quickly. especially because McCarthy was the clear favourite to be hired by the Saints. Since he served as the team’s offensive coordinator for five seasons, from 2000 to 2004, McCarthy has ties to the organisation and was considered a suitable match in New Orleans.
However a new report calls McCarthy’s narrative into question. While it was assumed the Saints coveted the coach, sources suggest the team did not have a serious interest in hiring McCarthy, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz on X. Now, Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive coordinator Kellen Moore appears to be the frontrunner for the gig. And McCarthy decided to back out “before being shutout,” per Schultz.
Either way, it’s entirely possible that a year off is in McCarthy’s best interest after five seasons of dealing with Jerry Jones and the other unique stressors that come along with being the head coach of the Cowboys. McCarthy will likely be a highly sought after coach for teams seeking veteran leadership in 2026.
Still, it was strange that he left Dallas. It seemed as though the Cowboys were serious about keeping McCarthy when Jones turned down the Chicago Bears’ desire to interview him. However, the bond eventually waned and McCarthy was free to sign with any free agency. Instead, Dallas chose Schottenheimer, a move that the fan base does not like. According to a rumour, Kellen Moore desired the Cowboys job, which makes the move much worse.
In any case, Dallas chose Schottenheimer, who is a retread even though he is a new head coach, and McCarthy is navigating an unknown future.
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