GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 16: Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy talks into his headset in action during an NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers on September 16, 2018 at Lambeau Field, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings played to a 29-29 tie. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire)

Cowboys Move On from Head Coach Mike McCarthy

Originally posted on Steelers Now | By Alan Saunders | Last updated Jan 13, 2025 12:44 PM ET

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