Former Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy to focus on 2026 cycle, will not coach this season
The Dallas Cowboys introduced Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach in a press conference on Monday and his predecessor was brought up a few times.
Mike McCarthy left the Cowboys on some, um, interesting terms, and since he has he has been on the look for a new gig.
It was reported on Tuesday night that he will have to wait until at least 2026. Mike McCarthy is apparently taking the 2025 season off, according to NFL Network.
Former #Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy has decided to focus on the 2026 hiring cycle and will not coach in the NFL this season, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
McCarthy, who has made the playoffs 12 times in 18 seasons, is expected to be a strong candidate a year from now. pic.twitter.com/Vr8mMijIkq
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 29, 2025
McCarthy interviewed for the Chicago Bears job that ultimately went to Ben Johnson. He also was in discussions with the New Orleans Saints, who have also interviewed former Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, and they were the last team left needing a coach after Dallas hired Schottenheimer. It appears either McCarthy felt the Saints job wasn’t going to be his or wasn’t worth his time.
You will recall that McCarthy sat out the 2019 season after his previous team in the Green Bay Packers fired him before the 2018 campaign was over. That led to his famous project where he put together a plan for what he would do differently with a new team that ultimately became the Cowboys in 2020.
