In a shift that marks the end of an era for the Dallas Cowboys, head coach Mike McCarthy's tenure with the team is coming to a close. According to FOX 4 News, McCarthy, whose contract was up for renewal, will not return for the next season after discussions over a new contract fell flat. The NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that the sticking point was the length of the potential new deal. McCarthy's five-year journey with the Cowboys saw a mixed bag of results, boasting a 49-35 record overall but a lackluster 1-3 in playoff appearances.

The departure, occurring on the heels of a disappointing 7-10 season, aligns with the expiration McCarthy's contract and comes despite the team's refusal to allow the Chicago Bears to interview him earlier this month. The Guardian notes that, under McCarthy, the Cowboys had put up strong regular season performances prior to 2024, but postseason advances have eluded them. McCarthy closes out his chapter with the Cowboys with a final record of 50-38, including that bleak 1-3 playoff run.

The team now faces a crossroads as they turn the page to a new leadership, hoping to reclaim their former glory that has not seen a Super Bowl win since the 1995 season. During McCarthy's career with both the Packers and the Cowboys, he's accumulated 174 career regular-season wins. This places him in the upper echelon of NFL coaches, with only a few having more wins, notably Andy Reid and Mike Tomlin. Despite the impressive win tally, the postseason victories have been far less forthcoming, a likely indicator in the cowboy’s decision to seek new direction.

Interested suitors, such as the Bears and Saints, are now free to court McCarthy, with his restrictions lifted following the expiration of the negotiation window with Dallas. McCarthy's track record includes leading the Packers to a Super Bowl win and multiple NFC championship games appearances, details that will not go unnoticed on the market. KBTX reports that the denouement of McCarthy's time with the Cowboys allows him the opportunity to bring his experience to yet another NFL franchise seeking revival.