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Dallas Cowboys Face Delays in Coaching Search After Missing Opportunity to Interview Top Lions Coordinator
Cowboys Part Ways with Mike McCarthy
The Dallas Cowboys have officially decided not to renew head coach Mike McCarthy’s contract, as reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. While this move signals a fresh start for the franchise, the timing of the decision has created significant hurdles in their search for a new leader on the sidelines.
By waiting an extra week to part ways with McCarthy, the Cowboys missed a crucial window to interview top coaching candidates from teams with playoff byes, specifically the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions. Now, Dallas must wait until these teams’ seasons conclude to engage with their sought-after coordinators.
Missed Opportunities: “A Self-Inflicted Setback”
Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz didn’t hold back in critiquing the Cowboys’ handling of the situation.
“Because the Cowboys waited a week to move on from Mike McCarthy, Jerry Jones also missed the window to request interviews with candidates on a bye, like Lions OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn,” Schultz stated on X. “If Dallas wants to talk to them, they’ll now have to wait until Detroit’s season ends. A self-inflicted setback.”
This delay could cost the Cowboys a chance to secure one of the hottest coaching prospects on the market.
Lions’ Coordinators in High Demand
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn are two of the most coveted coaching candidates this offseason. Johnson, in particular, has been at the center of coaching rumors for the second straight year.
Under Johnson’s leadership, the Lions’ offense was explosive in 2024, leading the NFL with an impressive 33.2 points per game and ranking second in total offense with 409.5 yards per game. Glenn has also earned praise for revitalizing Detroit’s defense, making him another prime candidate for head coaching roles.
The Cowboys now face the difficult choice of waiting for the Lions’ postseason run to end or pivoting to other, potentially less ideal, candidates.
Jerry Jones’ Next Move: Wait or Act?
Owner Jerry Jones must decide whether patience is worth the potential reward. Waiting for Johnson or Glenn could pay off by bringing elite coaching talent to Dallas. However, with other teams aggressively pursuing top candidates, the Cowboys risk being left behind.
The delay in firing McCarthy has already tightened the timeline, putting additional pressure on Jones and the Cowboys’ front office to navigate this coaching search carefully.
If Jones wants to revitalize the Cowboys with the Lions’ dynamic offensive strategies, he’ll need to be strategic—and patient.
Can the Cowboys Recover from This Setback?
While the Cowboys still have a shot at interviewing Johnson and Glenn, their self-imposed delay has narrowed their options. Competing teams are moving quickly to lock in their next head coaches, and Dallas may find themselves in a difficult position if they wait too long.
Whether this “self-inflicted setback” will cost them their top choice or push them toward an unexpected candidate remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the Cowboys’ next move will be critical in shaping the team’s future.