Life after Mike McCarthy is now a reality for the Dallas Cowboys.
Tom Pelissero announced Monday morning that Jerry Jones would be moving on from McCarthy. It’s hard not to feel bad for McCarthy after an odd handling of his contract.
All signs initially pointed to the two sides working out a new deal, but Jones waited until the last minute to part ways.
The Cowboys have an opening that will quickly generate heat from top candidates. Knowing Dallas, there will also be some shockers during this interview process. While Pelissero didn’t mention any names, he followed up his report on the NFL Network by alluding that a wide variety of parties would be involved.
Who will be the man to issue in this new era for the five-time Super Bowl-winning franchise?
Dallas Finally Outsources…Kind Of
A reunion for Kellen Moore has him at the top of the Cowboys’ list.
He may not be the best candidate or one fans would be pleased with, but it’s a very real possibility. He’s been the signal caller for the sixth-best offense in the NFL with the Eagles. He’s worked with elite talent at every position this year and has utilized it to its highest degree. Moore’s stock will only rise as the Eagles continue to chase the Lombardi. Questions remain about his effectiveness as a head coach or if he’s even willing to rekindle with the team that threw him out just two years ago.
Another potential outsource leans towards the defensive side of the ball in hiring Aaron Glenn from Detroit. The Lions have had one of the best defensive units these last two seasons and have drafted extraordinarily well. He’d bring a championship-level attitude and is easily one of the more disciplined candidates.
Unfortunately, Dallas may have missed the boat by not beginning their search last week. Glenn had one week before play to complete his interviews and could very possibly have made up his mind. Missing out on a premier candidate because of Jones’s reluctance would hurt.
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Keeping it Local
This could go two ways.
Mike Zimmer has been a decent coordinator this year. He’s had some showings where the defense looks like it did under Dan Quinn, and then sometimes, they don’t even look like a professional football team.
This is far from ideal, but it makes sense that Jones would prefer someone who has worked with the organization before and has solid head coaching experience. What brings doubt to this is the fact that McCarthy is leaving. If he’s out, Zimmer is likely out as well.
A wild-card hire would be current defensive backs coach Al Harris. The former All-Pro corner turned coach has been an essential part of developing some All-Pros of his own in Trevon Diggs and Daron Bland. Jones wouldn’t have placed emphasis on promoting him last year if he hadn’t been in the organization’s good graces.
This would be a very risky yet emphatic signing. While it may be another Jerod Mayo situation, he would bring discipline and energy this franchise hasn’t seen in a very long time.
If they go this route, they’ll have to jump the gun, as Harris is looking to be a highly sought-after coordinator this offseason.
Jerry Makes Belichick Reconsider
The Cowboys keep it boring with head coach hirings, so why not spice things up a bit?
Belichick was tightly linked to the Cowboys last offseason. Fans were waiting to see McCarthy be relieved of his duties then so the Cowboys could capitalize on a once-in-a-lifetime signing. After that didn’t work out, Belichick looked towards the developmental route and signed with UNC. With the future Hall of Fame coach barely under contract with the Tar Heels, it’d be hard to imagine this even being possible.
However, it’s certainly in the cards for Belichick. His contract buyout will remain at $10 million until June 1st. Jerry Jones remains in good faith with the six-time Super Bowl champion, and the rumor mill is already running.
If there was any position Belichick would leave North Carolina for, it’d be Dallas’s. The $10 million question is: Does he want to return to the NFL?
Dallas Goes Prime Time
This is the splash fans are waiting for.
Anywhere Deion Sanders goes, he brings a flock of media and influence. The value he brought to HBCUs continues to be felt today, with former stars Mike Vick taking the job at Norfolk State and DeSean Jackson joining Delaware State‘s program.
Colorado stayed in contention for the Big 12 until the end. Two of his top players will likely be selected within the top three picks of the 2025 NFL Draft. This makes a strong argument for him to go pro.
Bundle that with the waves it would send around the media, and it sounds like the most Dallas hire ever. His tenacity could be enough to take command of the team entirely, as impossible as that may sound.
There’s a lot that’s unknown about his potential move to the league. Who would he bring onto his staff? Would he try to adapt his schemes from Colorado? How much control would he have in the team? Sanders makes sense for the brand Jerry Jones pushes every day. With personalities and former players lobbying for the hire, one can only assume the Cowboys’ are tempted by the chaos the headline would bring.
It’s tough to say what direction the Cowboys will want to go with. The only thing fans should expect with this team, if they haven’t learned already, is to expect the unexpected. Because of that, I don’t think any of these candidates will get the Cowboys’ job.
My bold prediction for the Cowboys’ next head coach is…
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The Y-Option King Stuns the World
There is a very real possibility that future Hall of Fame tight end Jason Witten will become the next head football coach of America’s Team.
While it is certainly not the best option, it makes sense, given Jerry Jones’s hiring pattern. He thinks of his head coaches like family. McCarthy had a close relationship with Jones from day one, and it was obvious that the relationship contributed to his reluctance to let go of Mike.
Witten has very limited coaching experience but, believe it or not, is already getting compliments from people around the league. Witten is also the first name reported at the top of the Cowboys’ list.
The Cowboys legend has won back-to-back state championships at Argyle Liberty Christian School. That kind of success typically translates to college-level discourse, but Witten has a connection like no other to Dallas. Jones has already praised Witten, stating that he could replicate Dan Campbell‘s success in Detroit.
The Power Dynamic
Witten falls under the criteria Dallas would want from this hire.
He’s a face the team is very familiar with, given there are still some former teammates on the Cowboys’ roster. It’d be a massive headline, although maybe not for the best reasons. And most importantly, Jones would have the best shot at repeating the same dynamic he had with his last two coaches.
Witten, however, has a say in what orders he takes from Jones. Given everything Witten has done for the franchise and the city, Jones has no choice but to respect his character.
He could be the voice that Jerry listens to. Or, more likely, this is just wishful thinking. Some believe this dynamic may turn certain candidates away from the job.
https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing/status/1878948823365808531
While this is an educated guess amidst a wipe-open hiring process, the Cowboys stay in the headlines for a reason. Dallas jumping the gun on Jason Witten and handing him the keys with very limited experience would make otherworldly headlines.
That sounds like the perfect storm Jerry Jones continues to chase.
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