The Dallas Cowboys are expected to part ways with head coach Mike McCarthy when his contract expires on Tuesday, according to multiple media reports, the first by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
McCarthy and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had been in discussions regarding a new contract, but were unable to reach an agreement on a deal to keep him in Dallas.
A Pittsburgh native and former Pitt assistant coach, McCarthy has been with the Cowboys since 2020. In five seasons, he posted a 49-35 record with three playoff appearances, and just one playoff victory.
Before his time in Dallas, McCarthy was the head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 2006-18. He had a 125-77-2 record with the Packers, wining Super Bowl XLV over the Steelers and appearing in three other NFC Championship Games.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints are expected to show interest in McCarthy.
It’s unclear if McCarthy, with his long ties to the area, coming available would cause the Steelers to reconsider their stance on bringing back head coach Mike Tomlin.
Despite coming from opposite sides of the ball, McCarthy and Tomlin have fairly similar coaching resumes. McCarthy has a 174-112-2 overall record with a .608 winning percentage and one Super Bowl. Tomlin has a 183-107-2 overall record, a .630 winning percentage and one Super Bowl win, as well.
NFL COACHING CAROUSEL
The Cowboys job coming open means that there are once again six NFL head coach openings.
The New England Patriots made the first hire of the 2025 cycle on Sunday, signing former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker and Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel to replace Jerod Mayo.
| TEAM | FORMER COACH | NEW COACH |
| Chicago Bears | Matt Eberflus | |
| Dallas Cowboys | Mike McCarthy | |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Doug Pederson | |
| Las Vegas Raiders | Antonio Pierce | |
| New England Patriots | Jerod Mayo | Mike Vrabel |
| New Orleans Saints | Dennis Allen | |
| New York Jets | Robert Saleh |