It looks like Mike McCarthy had more say in not returning to the Dallas Cowboys than initially thought.
It sounds as though team owner Jerry Jones was contemplating a plan for the future if McCarthy returned as the head coach next season.
The situation involves former NFL tight end Jason Witten.
The Dallas Cowboys and coach Mike McCarthy parting ways on Monday came as somewhat of a surprise since Jerry Jones had stated things to suggest that he was coming back and even made curious decisions like stopping the Bears from interviewing him, which also pointed to his return.
However, one of the biggest reasons the two sides couldn’t reach a deal is that Jones appeared to have a master plan in place for McCarthy’s new deal to potentially stay in Dallas.
Jones had recently spoken with future Cowboys Hall of Fame tight end Jason Witten, and the 11-time Pro Bowler was going to be part of Jones’s plan for McCarthy’s deal.
According to Jane Slater of NFL Network, Witten would ultimately be Mike McCarthy’s heir apparent.
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“It’s been my understanding that Jones has talked to Witten in recent weeks, and I do believe that he was part of a plan that Jones initially had when he was going to bring back McCarthy. I think the plan there was to make him an heir apparent of sorts. McCarthy sort of surprised him by deciding that he wanted to end these conversations… now we’ll see if Witten will still be in play here. I just don’t know if that would be in a head coach role, but I do believe [Jones] thinks very strongly about Witten and his future as a coach.”
A lot to unpack here. Been on the phone non stop here is what I’ve gathered from Deion to Witt to Kellen. Jerry is currently on a solo mission. No official interviews or calls even placed to some. Here is what I have gathered for you. #CowboysHCSearch pic.twitter.com/9OzVVwy7Cz
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) January 15, 2025
In his five seasons as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, McCarthy posted a record of 49-35. Although he excelled in the regular season, it just wouldn’t translate in the playoffs as the team could only muster up one victory and not a single trip to the NFC Championship game.
Where Will Mike McCarthy End Up?
The coaching carousel is still going around.
The Chicago Bears officially confirmed their interview with former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, which came after the Cowboys initially declined to allow it to happen.
Another NFC team, the New Orleans Saints, has also been connected to the veteran coach.
Now 61 years old, McCarthy still clearly has the desire to be a head coach in the NFL.
