Mike McCarthy‘s future remains uncertain at this point as the expiration of his current contract draws nearer. Further signs point to him remaining in place in place as the Cowboys’ head coach, though. 
McCarthy and owner Jerry Jones have remained in contact since the end of the season, although terms of a potential new pact had not yet been a topic of discussion. That is set to change now, however. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports the sides are set to begin negotiating a new pact today.
Jones routinely praised McCarthy during the season, making it clear in the wake of the team’s poor start he would not consider an in-season dismissal. Given the fact McCarthy was on an expiring deal, though, questions lingered over his status throughout the campaign. The former Packers Super Bowl winner has also received votes of confidence from players (including quarterback Dak Prescott), so it would come as little surprise if a new agreement were to be worked out.
McCarthy has been in Dallas since 2020. His Cowboys tenure has included three postseason appearances (spanning the 2021, ’22 and ’23 campaigns in which the team went 12-5 each time), but a lack of playoff success has been a defining characteristic of his time guiding the team. Jones noted Dallas’ wild-card loss to Green Bay last year played a key role in his decision not to offer McCarthy an extension, with the same also being the case for the team’s assistant coaches.
In the early stages of the 2025 hiring cycle, though, McCarthy has been connected to a pair of teams which currently have a vacancy. The Bears requested permission for an interview, but the Cowboys blocked it. Meanwhile, the Saints have emerged as a team to watch in the event McCarthy becomes a coaching free agent. January 14 represents the point at which his existing deal will expire, meaning he and Jones only have a short window of opportunity to agree to terms before other teams enter the fray.
A Wednesday report indicated some of the assistants on McCarthy’s staff have received interest from outside suitors with their own futures still in the air. It will be interesting to see if any coordinators or position coaches wind up making a move in the coming days (or at least agreeing to a deal with a new team), but with McCarthy seemingly on track to remain in place that may be unlikely at this point.
Let me first say I’m not a fan of McCarthy. His teams typically are undisciplined and sloppy with turnovers, stupid penalties and effort.
It sure seems he’s in the drivers seat though. He can demand whatever he wants and if Jerry doesn’t give in, he can just wait out the exclusive rights period and then talk with other teams.
The only real question is if Jerry will overpay McCarthy before the 14th or double down on that offer when he interviews with New Orleans and Chicago.
Jerry seems to think he wins the negations w/ his coach and players by waiting until the last second. Twice with Dak and Lamb last year, as well as Mike M on coaching.
At least this time when Jerry waits too long to deal with a contract it won’t affect the cap.
McCarthy should demand everything and get nothing… Wait, what?
Hey, if he likes working with JJ and since the players seem to like him, but he should demand a real GM and JJ step away, well step away somewhat….
Otherwise, the Dumpster Fire will continue in Big D