The Dallas Cowboys and head coach Mike McCarthy have reportedly parted ways after five seasons.
According to NFL Media, the decision marks the end of McCarthy’s tenure with the team, which began in 2020. Despite negotiations for a new contract before the deadline, the two parties could not agree on the terms, leading to the conclusion of his time in Dallas.
As McCarthy moves on, teams like the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints are reportedly interested in his coaching experience.
Throughout the 2024 season, McCarthy faced continuous scrutiny. After a disappointing first-round playoff exit against the Green Bay Packers in 2023, the Cowboys chose to retain him but did not extend his contract, a rare move for a head coach entering the final year of his deal.
Rumors about McCarthy’s job security intensified during the 2024 season, especially after the Cowboys started with a 1-2 record and then endured a five-game losing streak in October and November. This difficult stretch was compounded by quarterback Dak Prescott’s season-ending hamstring injury.
Before the struggles of 2024, McCarthy had guided the Cowboys to consistent playoff contention, achieving a 12-5 record in both the 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons. Under his leadership, the team clinched the NFC East title in 2021 and 2023, with Prescott notably finishing second in MVP voting in 2023.
Despite the Cowboys’ regular-season successes, they struggled to translate that performance into playoff victories, winning only one playoff game during McCarthy’s tenure and failing to progress past the divisional round. The franchise continues its quest for a return to the NFC Championship Game, a feat last achieved during their Super Bowl-winning season in 1995.
Prior to joining the Cowboys, McCarthy had a successful run with the Green Bay Packers, where he led the team to a Super Bowl victory in 2010. He was dismissed in 2018 after 13 seasons with the Packers and took a year off before stepping in to replace long-time Cowboys coach Jason Garrett.
