Mike McCarthy 2026 coaching destinations: Examining seven potential options for Super Bowl-winning coach

Late Tuesday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter revealed former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, who was expected to interview for the Saints head coaching job, will sit out this cycle and instead prep for a return to an NFL sideline in 2026.

Since 2007, roughly seven head coaches have been fired per offseason, so we should expect McCarthy to have several options next January. Where could the Super Bowl-winning coach set his roots?

Let's attempt to find out.

Note: Teams listed in alphabetical order.

Buffalo Bills

The clock could be ticking on Bills head coach Sean McDermott, whether fair or foul. Entering his ninth season in Buffalo, McDermott is the only active coach with at least eight seasons with his current team who hasn't won a conference championship. If Buffalo, which just lost the AFC Championship Game to Kansas City, falls short again or regresses in 2025, it might be the right time to see if another coach can get the job done.

McCarthy would keep the Bills in the AFC's top tier and should have no problem replicating his success with quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott in a partnership with Josh Allen.

There is precedent for teams moving on from a playoff-caliber coach after reaching a ceiling. In 2014, the Broncos parted with John Fox, who had a 46-18 record, and they hired Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, who led Denver to a win in Super Bowl 50 in his first season. 

Cleveland Browns

Kevin Stefanski has brought stability to the Browns, who hired six head coaches from 2009-19. Stefanski won a playoff game in his first season and was named Associated Press Coach of the Year for the second time in 2023 before going 3-14 this season.

Continuity is great, but Cleveland might be back in the market for a head coach unless Stefanski leads a quick turnaround.

On Tuesday, general manager Andrew Berry confirmed the team has no intentions of going through a rebuild after taking four-time first-team All-Pro Myles Garrett off the trade market.

That puts pressure on Stefanski, who probably can't survive another ugly season. In that scenario, hiring McCarthy would show players that the team still believes the core can break through in a crowded AFC.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Todd Bowles is 27-24 in three seasons as Buccaneers head coach, leading the franchise to three consecutive finishes atop the NFC South. Tampa Bay has one playoff win and two offensive coordinator losses to show for it.

Bowles' pending offensive coordinator hire could determine how long he remains as Bucs head coach. The Jaguars recently hired 2024 coordinator Liam Coen, while the Panthers poached 2023 coordinator Dave Canales last offseason. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has revitalized his career in Tampa, where he'll be on his third offensive coordinator in three seasons. As in Buffalo, if the Bucs have plateaued under Bowles, McCarthy could elevate their ceiling while giving Mayfield one play-caller for the next few seasons.

Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts

We're lumping these two together. Both hired former Eagles coordinators during the 2023 offseason. Colts head coach Shane Steichen has fared slightly better, going 17-17 entering his third year, while Gannon is 12-22 in Arizona. Neither can afford to go backward in a pivotal Year 3.

New York Giants

Among active head coaches, Giants head coach Brian Daboll's .353 win percentage (18 wins in 51 career games) is tied for the league's third-worst, ahead of 2024 first-year coaches Dave Canales (Panthers) and Brian Callahan (Titans).

Plus, if there's a better way for McCarthy to stick it to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones than building the NFC East-rival Giants into a winner, we can't think of it.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which they could spend on a quarterback. Should Tennessee's struggles continue under Callahan, McCarthy might be the safest bet to coax the most out of a potential Titans' young quarterback.