As the exclusive negotiating window closes at midnight on Tuesday, the Dallas Cowboys and head coach Mike McCarthy have yet to engage in talks about a contract extension, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Without a new deal, McCarthy will become a free agent at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, opening the door for interest from other teams.
Interest from Other Teams
Both the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints are reportedly interested in speaking with McCarthy about their head coaching vacancies. However, the Cowboys denied the Bears’ official request to interview McCarthy last week, suggesting Dallas could still be weighing their options.
This situation echoes the 2019 offseason when Cowboys owner Jerry Jones allowed then-head coach Jason Garrett to work on an expiring contract. The team did not announce Garrett’s departure until a week after the season ended, following interviews with potential candidates. McCarthy himself was hired 10 days after that season concluded.
Cowboys’ 2024 Struggles
The 2024 season was a difficult one for Dallas, as the team finished 7-10, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020. McCarthy’s tenure with the Cowboys has been a mixed bag: he holds a 49-35 regular-season record but is just 1-3 in the playoffs.
Injuries played a major role in the Cowboys’ underperformance:
Key Players Lost: Dak Prescott, DeMarcus Lawrence, Zack Martin, Trevon Diggs, and CeeDee Lamb all ended the season on injured reserve.
Additional Challenges: Pro Bowl pass rusher Micah Parsons (ankle) missed four games, while cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) missed 11.
Even before the injuries, the team struggled on both sides of the ball, losing their first five home games by a combined 118 points. A midseason rally, during which the Cowboys won four out of five games, wasn’t enough to salvage the year, and Dallas dropped its final two games after being eliminated from playoff contention.
Coaching Staff Uncertainty
McCarthy’s uncertain future extends to his entire coaching staff, none of whom are under contract beyond Tuesday. Without extensions, Dallas risks losing not only their head coach but also the team’s broader coaching infrastructure to other organizations.
Looking Ahead
While McCarthy and Cowboys executives Jerry and Stephen Jones met three times last week to discuss the past season and potential changes to roster building and coaching strategies, no decisions have been announced. This leaves the Cowboys’ leadership in limbo, with time running out for the team to retain McCarthy.
As of now, the New England Patriots remain the only team to have hired a new head coach since the season ended, appointing Mike Vrabel to the position.
The clock is ticking for the Cowboys, and McCarthy’s future in Dallas hangs in the balance.
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