Rapidly growing narrative around Mike McCarthy could theoretically snowball into one of the worst lows ever in Dallas Cowboys history

The Dallas Cowboys' pending decision to make on head coach Mike McCarthy is quickly approaching as the team gets ready to turn the page to Week 18, the last game on McCarthy's deal. 

But as much as we can discuss the Cowboys' decision here, it is true that there's a possibility that McCarthy could take it out of their hands. Since his deal is set to expire, he could control his destiny if other NFL teams are interested in him. I wrote about this in-depth in detail earlier in the month and broke down why the Chicago Bears seemed to be a potential candidate for McCarthy. 

Now, as 2025 peeks its head in the horizon, the narrative of McCarthy coaching elsewhere is rapidly growing as reports of teams potentially being interested in him start to emerge. 

Jay Glazer, NFL insider for FOX, said on Sunday prior to the team's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles that McCarthy was "on other team's coaching lists if the Cowboys decide not to re-sign him." Earlier that week, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero from NFL Network speculated on the Saints being an option for McCarthy due to relationships with the franchise. 

Here's how I see it, there are three potential outcomes for McCarthy's future: 

1. The Cowboys call it a day and move on to find another coach, McCarthy either lands elsewhere or temporarily disappears from football.
2. The Cowboys run it back with McCarthy. 
3. The Cowboys want McCarthy back... only for McCarthy to head elsewhere. 

Theoretically, option number three could happen if the stars align for the Cowboys head coach. His deal is set to expire shortly after the season. When it does, NFL teams interested in him could reach out and make a pitch. If he's convinced heading elsewhere is a better option, think about how bad of a look it would be for Dallas. 

If such a wild scenario took place, it would truly be one of the lowest points ever in Cowboys franchise history.

To have a coach whose quarterback wants him back to turn down an opportunity at running it back with the team he's been working with since 2020 to instead move to another city just for the sake of coaching a different team? It would show a true desire to walk away from Jerry Jones' team. McCarthy would truly have to be done with the way the operation runs in Dallas, which isn't completely crazy to think about after the Cowboys ended up building a poor roster in 2024 while ranking dead last in free agency spending this offseason. 

Keep in mind, the Cowboys are already letting the NFL world know they expect another tight year in terms of spending. 

Would such scenario be likely?

If we're being honest, not much. For several reasons.

At the end of the day, I believe it highly unlikely Mike would risk losing the job he has by flirting with other teams. Coaching decisions happen in such a short span because everyone is in a rush to find their guy that waiting out his deal could leave McCarthy empty handed if the Cowboys get their guy before Mike shops for the right job. 

Additionally, McCarthy would likely value continuity with the team he already has in place and the relationship with top players, mostly with quarterback Dak Prescott. As I wrote earlier in December: 

If there's a contract extension offer on the table for McCarthy, the one thing that I could see persuading him to stay is the relationship he has with players, particularly with Prescott, and the locker room he's built in Dallas. Cowboys have seriously put up a fight for him even in a tough season like this one. CeeDee Lamb has played through a painful shoulder injury and Parsons' emotional outburst following the Bengals loss shows how bought in the players were to making a longshot playoff push. 

We're in the endgame now and the McCarthy conversation will only get louder when the clock hits zero at AT&T Stadium next Sunday.