Cowboys Need to Make Head Coach Trade to Replace Mike McCarthy After Split
The 2025 NFL Playoffs kicked off this weekend and the Dallas Cowboys were home watching. After going 7-10, the Cowboys didn't make the postseason.
Going into the season, there was a lot of chatter around Mike McCarthy and his expiring contract with Dallas. Both sides never agreed on anything long-term. The Cowboys and McCarthy were having a ton of discussions regarding a potential return to Dallas but on Monday, it was reported that he won't be returning to Dallas in 2025.
Mike McCarthy is not expected to return to Dallas and is now set to become a free agent, per source. The two sides engaged in no discussions about a new deal, and McCarthy is expected to be a candidate in Chicago and New Orleans. https://t.co/8YpUIXqdtw
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 13, 2025
Cowboys News: Mike McCarthy Wont Return to Dallas
McCarthy was the Cowboys' coach for five seasons, logging a 49-35 record, including three postseason appearances. Regardless, the Cowboys failed to make it past the Divisional Round and decided to head in a different direction.
With Dallas making this decision a week later than most teams in the NFL, they have some catching up to do with some candidates.
Some guys on the market include Aaron Glenn, Kliff Kingsbury, Brian Flores, Pete Carroll, and Ron Rivera among others. Some names on this list could entice Cowboy fans but there are two other candidates Dallas should think about.
Kevin O'Connell of the Minnesota Vikings is one of those names. O'Connell has one year left on his current deal and his name has come up as a potential trade target for teams around the league. In three seasons with Minnesota, he has a 34-17 record, with two playoff appearances. This season, he had the Vikings go 14-3.
He's an offensive genius and gets the best play out of his quarterback. In 2024, the Vikings were 12th in total offense (346.9), sixth in pass offense (237.8), and ninth in scoring offense (25.4). O'Connell is one of the best young coaches in the league and could set Dallas up for a lot of future success.
Another name that has been floated on the trade market is Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin. He has been the head coach for the Steelers since 2007 and made the playoffs for 18 straight seasons. Tomlin secured Super Bowl LXIII and is known for being one of the best leaders in the NFL. He takes command of a room with ease and is the type of coach that could take Dallas back to their glory days.
The 52-year-old owns a 191-118-2 record all-time and is one of the top five coaches in the league. Pittsburgh has already come out and said they have no plans on parting ways with Tomlin but things can always change.
Jerry Jones should offer either Minnesota or Pittsburgh whatever they want to land one of these great coaches. The Denver Broncos gave the New Orleans Saints a first and second-round pick to land Sean Payton. In his second season there, the Broncos made the postseason.
Good organizations take calculated risks to improve their teams. Dallas should make it their mission to land either guy and change the trajectory of the team.
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