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Green Bay Packers: former head coach Mike McCarthy preparing for 2026 NFL return

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Sep 27, 2025 4:09 PM ET

When the Green Bay Packers face the Dallas Cowboys this weekend on Sunday Night Football, it will be one of the most-watched games in the NFL so far this season. Of course, this is because Packers star Micah Parsons is making his return to Dallas for the first time since the Cowboys traded him to Green Bay right before the start of the 2025 NFL season.

Indeed, much has been and will continue to be said about his return, especially since Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has ensured that it remains in the spotlight this week.

But aside from the Parsons angle, the game between Green Bay and Dallas is a matchup between Mike McCarthy‘s former teams. And while he is not currently in the NFL right now, the former Packers and Cowboys coach has hinted that a return is imminent.

Former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy is planning a return in 2026

Green Bay Packers: former head coach Mike McCarthy preparing for 2026 NFL return 1 Coach Mike McCarthy talks with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a break in the second half during the Green Bay Packers 31-23 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.Packlions 32ofx Wood

McCarthy, of course, was the head coach in Green Bay from 2006 until he was fired with four games remaining in the 2018 season. He won Super Bowl XLV with the Packers and helped the organization transition from one Hall of Fame quarterback in Brett Favre to another in Aaron Rodgers.

After he was fired by Green Bay, McCarthy took a year off before being hired as the head coach of the Cowboys in 2020. Dallas experienced some consistent regular season success with the former Packers coach at the helm, but was just 1-3 in the playoffs during his tenure, including a blowout loss against Green Bay in the 2023 NFL Playoffs.

After the 2024 NFL season ended, Dallas made the decision not to give McCarthy a new contract and instead hired Brian Shottenheimer, his offensive coordinator, as their next head coach.

Now, McCarthy resides back in Wisconsin with his family, but has his eyes set on another return to coach in 2026. He recently told David Moore of D Magazine, “I’m preparing to coach again in 2026.”

He made this comment after describing how much he is enjoying being home with his kids, watching them play sports, and doing all the things he could not do with them as a NFL head coach.

Of course, it remains to be seen what teams will need a new head coach in 2026. The Miami Dolphins and New York Giants are among teams that many believe will be moving on from their current head coaches either during this season or after.

The Pittsburgh Steelers situation with Mike Tomlin is an interesting one to monitor, especially since McCarthy is a native of that area.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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