The Dallas Cowboys’ next head coach might already be on the sidelines for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Washington Commanders. While Mike McCarthy’s future remains uncertain with his contract expiring after the game, there’s a chance he could be re-signed. However, given Jerry Jones’ cryptic statements, nothing is finalized until a new deal is in place.
Several candidates are being considered for McCarthy’s potential successor. Bill Belichick is no longer in the running due to his commitment to North Carolina, and Deion Sanders has vowed to remain at Colorado. Mike Vrabel, another potential target, recently interviewed with the New York Jets. Meanwhile, Jerry Jones somewhat dismissed the idea of hiring former NFL coach Jon Gruden. ESPN’s Dan Graziano suggested another intriguing possibility: Kellen Moore, the former Cowboys’ offensive coordinator now with the Philadelphia Eagles. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who has garnered attention with his innovative offense, is also a likely candidate.
One more name to keep in mind is Kliff Kingsbury, currently the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator. Kingsbury, a San Antonio native with deep Texas roots, previously coached at Texas A&M and Texas Tech, where he mentored Patrick Mahomes. After a failed stint as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, Kingsbury took a break in Thailand before returning to the NFL with the Commanders. Under his guidance, the team has seen impressive performances, including a standout season from quarterback Jayden Daniels and the revival of wide receiver Terry McLaurin.Although Kingsbury’s name has also been tied to head coaching openings with the Chicago Bears and New York Jets, he recently expressed that he is content in his current role. When asked about a potential return to a head coaching job, he acknowledged the possibility but also emphasized his happiness with the Commanders. He remained non-committal about interviewing for new positions after the season, stating that he would see how things unfold.
