As the 2025 regular season comes to a close, teams are planning for the 2026 campaign and beyond. There will be several head coaching openings, and the New York Giants will be one of them.
They plan to cast a wide net in this head coaching search, and former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has emerged as a name on their coaching list. ESPN's Jordan Raanan released an article on Friday regarding New York's search, and McCarthy's name was mentioned.
"The team had a head start on compiling a list of candidates that includes former NFL head coach Mike McCarthy, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, former Raiders coach and Giants player Antonio Pierce, and Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, among others. Kafka will also be given an interview," Raanan wrote.
Mike McCarthy Could Join New York Giants in HC Role
Despite there already being six coaches on the list and more likely to be added, McCarthy's name is an intriguing option for the Giants. He spent five seasons as the Cowboys' head coach before the two sides parted ways in 2025.
During his tenure with the Cowboys, McCarthy logged a 49-35 record, which included three straight postseason appearances between 2021 and 2023. Although he found success in Dallas, the front office felt it needed more from its head coach, leading them to make changes.
And following his departure from the Cowboys, he didn't land a job in the 2025 coaching cycle. Nonetheless, he's a viable option for a Giants franchise that desperately needs some stability at head coach. Considering they have a young quarterback in Jaxson Dart, McCarthy makes a ton of sense as the one to take the reins.
He's been successful with Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott, so the thought process of bringing him to New York seems like a logical choice.
Raanan added, "McCarthy has the most extensive track record as a head coach of all the candidates, although it's possible someone more impressive could shake free in the next few weeks. McCarthy has been a consistent winner and had success with multiple quarterbacks. All positives for his candidacy."
And the proof is in the pudding. Between Green Bay and Dallas, McCarthy owns a 174-112-2 record and has won eight division titles. He would bring experience and stability to the Giants, but we are still a ways away from the coaching search being over. Frankly, it hasn't even officially started since the season isn't over.
This is just the early stages of the Giants' search, but they already made it known that McCarthy is someone to keep an eye on. There's a chance that McCarthy ends up back in the NFC East, and that means he and the Cowboys would meet up twice a season. It would add another element to an already bitter rivalry between the two teams.