Mike McCarthy became a hot coaching candidate after he and the Dallas Cowboys couldn’t agree to terms on a contract extension. He wanted more years on his new deal, which the Cowboys didn’t grant. Therefore, he becomes a coaching free agent with a winning resume.
However, he will take a back seat in 2025 as he withdraws his name from the New Orleans Saints’ hiring process. The Saints are the last NFL team to have a vacant head coaching position. Instead, he will focus on the 2026 hiring cycle, as NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero tweeted.
Former #Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy has decided to focus on the 2026 hiring cycle and will not coach in the NFL this season, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 29, 2025
McCarthy, who has made the playoffs 12 times in 18 seasons, is expected to be a strong candidate a year from now. pic.twitter.com/Vr8mMijIkq
In addition to his Super Bowl victory with the Green Bay Packers, McCarthy has led the NFC North team to four NFC Championship Games and nine playoff appearances. The Cowboys hired him in 2020, guiding them to three consecutive 12-win seasons and playoff appearances. At the end of his five-year contract, the Cowboys finished with a 7-10 record, keeping them out of playoff contention.
McCarthy has a 185-123 career coaching record, including playoffs. He has equal playoff victories (11) and losses. As new coaching positions open after the 2025 NFL season, McCarthy’s name should be on the top of the list.
-Lance Fernandez