The Cowboys’ head coach is reportedly set to be a sought-after candidate in the offseason coaching market.
It’s widely expected that Mike McCarthy won’t continue as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys beyond this season. Jerry Jones declined to offer him a contract extension earlier this year, leaving McCarthy in an awkward position. Jones’ attempt to motivate the team backfired, with Dallas enduring its worst season under McCarthy’s leadership.
As McCarthy’s exit seems inevitable, speculation about his next destination is growing. Jeff Howe of The Athletic analyzed the upcoming coaching market and suggested that McCarthy could be a top contender for the New York Jets.
“McCarthy, who led the Green Bay Packers for 13 seasons before his five years with the Cowboys, might not appear on every team’s radar. However, his history with quarterback Aaron Rodgers makes him a logical fit for the Jets. Plus, McCarthy’s ability to handle New York’s intense media scrutiny is another advantage,” Howe wrote.
The Jets’ struggles make this a plausible scenario. With a 3-7 record and no playoff hopes, they’ve been one of the season’s biggest disappointments. After firing Robert Saleh midseason, the Jets promoted Jeff Ulbrich as interim head coach.
Aaron Rodgers has expressed interest in playing another season, and bringing in McCarthy, who coached him for over a decade in Green Bay and helped secure his lone Super Bowl title, could be appealing.
While McCarthy’s playoff struggles with Dallas have dented his reputation, his track record of building winning teams in the regular season keeps him respected in the league. Whether Rodgers supports a reunion remains uncertain, but McCarthy is expected to find a new coaching role next year.
