Head coach Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys are parting ways, a team official told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
McCarthy, whose contract with Dallas is set to expire Tuesday, couldn’t agree on the length of a new deal with the team, sources told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, who was the first to report that McCarthy was out as the Cowboys’ coach. The two sides reportedly had positive discussions last week but failed to reach an agreement.
With McCarthy now free to speak to other teams, the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints have shown interest in the veteran coach, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Chicago requested an interview with him Jan. 6, but the Cowboys denied it.
McCarthy, 61, posted a 49-35 regular-season record across five seasons with the Cowboys, but they went only 7-10 in 2024 in a season plagued by injuries. Dallas – a top-five team in scoring offense and defense in 2023 – ranked only 31st in points allowed this past season after losing defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Offensively, the club placed 21st in points scored after Dak Prescott missed the campaign’s final nine games due to a hamstring injury.