Two NFL legends have been floated as possible replacements for Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, who’s surely fighting for his job here in 2024.
Many were stunned when Dallas owner Jerry Jones decided to bring back Mike McCarthy following yet another postseason meltdown, this time a 48-32 home loss to the seventh-seeded Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round.
McCarthy is entering the final season of a five-year contract he signed in 2020. Jones rarely “fires” a coach, so he could move on from McCarthy nice and neatly if the Cowboys fall well short of expectations again.
The Marca newspaper suggested two marquee names as targets for the Cowboys if they do indeed part ways with Mike McCarthy: Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Colorado Buffaloes HC and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders:
“Bill Belichick is one of the most successful coaches in the NFL. Deion Sanders is testing his talents as a head coach with the Colorado Buffaloes. For many, there is no point of comparison between one and the other, even so, both could be on the shortlist for one of the most desired positions in the league, that of the helmsman of the Dallas Cowboys…
It’s no secret that team owner Jerry Jones is not satisfied with the team’s performance under McCarthy. Although they have entered the postseason three consecutive years, they have lost twice in the wild-card round and once reached the divisional round.
The numbers don’t help McCarthy, and Jones isn’t known for his patience. The search for the new Cowboys head coach is about to begin, and Belichick could face unexpected competition from Coach Prime for the job.”
.@MattVerderame continues SI’s examination of all 32 NFL teams with the Cowboys, who are on an uncertain path after Jerry Jones decided to not extend Mike McCarthy, Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons:https://t.co/6E4FeUrvq6
— The MMQB (@theMMQB) July 8, 2024
Belichick and the New England Patriots parted ways after a disappointing 4-13 season. He left Foxborough as the greatest coach in NFL history, having led the organization to nine AFC title banners and six Super Bowl championships.
As for “Prime Time”, he’s only entering the second season of a five-year deal with the Buffaloes. Even if he wanted to jump to the NFL (and there’s no indicator of that right now), Sanders would need to build a winning culture in Colorado before garnering consideration for a head coaching job in the pros.
So if one of these two men were a candidate to replace Mike McCarthy, it’s by far Bill Belichick. The greatest head coach in NFL history would be an enticing fit for America’s Team, too.
Last Chance For Mike McCarthy In Dallas
At this rate, it’s not a stretch to say that the Cowboys have to reach the NFC Championship Game if McCarthy is to save his job. At some point, Jerry has to stop being okay with only regular season success and the odd Wild Card Round victory.
