The Dallas Cowboys are parting ways with head coach Mike McCarthy, according to multiple sources. McCarthy’s five-year contract, which he signed prior to the 2020 season, is set to expire on Tuesday, and negotiations over a potential new deal have reportedly stalled.
During his tenure with the Cowboys, McCarthy achieved a 49-35 record, boasting a .583 winning percentage, which ranks as the fourth-best in franchise history. His coaching stints led the team to three consecutive seasons of 12-5 records from 2021 to 2023. However, McCarthy’s playoff performance was less impressive, with the team securing just one win in four postseason appearances.
This past season concluded with the Cowboys finishing 7-10. Their campaign saw ups and downs, including a crucial moment when quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury during a Week 9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Despite starting with a 3-5 record, the team was able to finish with a respectable 4-5 run.
As the Cowboys look for a new head coach, they will be searching for only their third leader since 2011, following Jason Garrett’s long tenure from 2010 to 2019.
Reports suggest that McCarthy may still have opportunities elsewhere, with teams like the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints showing interest in him as a candidate during this coaching cycle. Before his time in Dallas, McCarthy had significant success as head coach of the Green Bay Packers, amassing a 125-77-2 record along with a Super Bowl victory following the 2010 season. In total, McCarthy’s coaching career includes an overall record of 174-112-2 and an 11-11 playoff record, placing him 12th on the NFL’s all-time wins list.
This transition presents an opportunity for the Cowboys to reinvent themselves and explore new strategies that could help them reach the heights of the playoffs more consistently. With a rich pool of coaching talent available, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see who will take the reins next.