Dallas Cowboys

Jerry Jones still hasn't made a definitive decision about Mike McCarthy's future with the Dallas Cowboys, but he could be moving closer to keeping him as head coach in 2025.

Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, both sides remain open to staying together and they will have talks on Friday about a new contract for McCarthy.

Pelissero added Jones has to figure things out sooner than later because, in addition to McCarthy's contract expiring on Tuesday, all of his assistants will be free to take jobs with other teams that same day.

If the Cowboys aren't going to bring McCarthy back, they're doing a good job of making it difficult for him to get considered for another job this offseason.

The Chicago Bears sought permission to interview McCarthy for their vacant head-coaching position, but ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday their request was denied by the Cowboys.

Per David Moore of the Dallas Morning News, McCarthy and Jones have maintained a "strong relationship" built over the course of their five seasons working together.

"Denying Chicago's request isn't a guarantee that McCarthy will return, but it's an indication that both men are continuing the discussion to see if that can happen," Moore wrote.

Another problem with waiting if the two sides are going to move on is the Cowboys are putting themselves behind the eight ball to interview replacements.

League rules prevent teams from holding in-person interviews with candidates until after the divisional round of the playoffs, but they are allowed to meet with candidates virtually right now.

Jones has said on multiple occasions that he's been very happy with the job McCarthy has done.

"I feel good about Mike McCarthy," Jones told Shan & RJ on 105.3 The Fan on Dec. 31. "The main thing is that I like the job that he's done. We've had the year that we've had, but I feel good about Mike."

The Cowboys finished an injury-plagued 2024 season with a 7-10 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020. They did have a streak late in the season after Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury with four wins in five games, including victories over the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

McCarthy is 49-35 in five seasons as Cowboys head coach. The Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles and Bucs are the only NFC teams with more regular-season wins since 2020.

The Dallas Cowboys and Mike McCarthy are reportedly "in constant communication" regarding the head coach's contract, which is set to expire next week.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday that McCarthy and the Cowboys have continued to meet since the conclusion of the season:

They are in constant communication, all the way back from yesterday, the day before, lengthy meetings... They're really trying to figure out where the organization goes from here and how they would move forward. If you're not going to bring back Mike McCarthy, you wouldn't have those meetings... It's really just a matter of if they can agree on the number of years, can they agree on the money and can they agree just on moving forward together and what it would look like.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler provided additional details on Thursday:

Cowboys coach McCarthy and owner Jerry Jones spent significant time Tuesday and Wednesday discussing the future -- whether it's a new contract in Dallas or McCarthy potentially coaching elsewhere in 2025. People I've talked to in Dallas believe McCarthy is more likely to stay in Dallas than leave, but both sides need to be sure, and they have less than a week to figure it out. McCarthy has leverage and options. And as several coaches have told me this week, why wouldn't teams want to speak to a Super Bowl winner in what's considered a weaker candidate pool?

McCarthy, who has been the Cowboys head coach since 2020, has led Dallas to the playoffs three times, but his future with the organization has been in question following a 7-10 season.

Amid uncertainty in Dallas, the Chicago Bears requested to interview McCarthy for their vacant head coaching position earlier this week, but the Cowboys denied that request. The denial seems to indicate that Dallas wants to at least spend the exclusive negotiating window discussing what's next for the team regarding its head coach.

As Rapoport mentioned, the Cowboys' talks with McCarthy have been less about contract details and more about his vision for the team. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday that the two sides are still far apart on a deal.

"It doesn't sound like he's any closer to a deal with the Dallas Cowboys currently, but we've seen the Dallas Cowboys always wait until the last minute on these types of deals," Schefter said on NFL Live (h/t On3's Nick Schultz). "Go back to the start of the regular season, Dak Prescott signs on the day the regular season kicks off. CeeDee Lamb [signed] late in the summer."

Schefter went on to say that the Cowboys could let things get to an "artificial deadline," which in this case would be the end of the exclusive negotiating window on Jan. 14.

If that deadline passes and McCarthy still doesn't have an extension, he'll likely begin to explore other options elsewhere.

The Dallas Cowboys have reportedly denied the Chicago Bears' request to interview head coach Mike McCarthy, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Schefter previously reported the request had gone unanswered by midday Tuesday after the Bears initially asked for permission on Monday.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Sunday he had not yet made a decision regarding the head coach's future and would be fine with other teams interviewing McCarthy, per The Athletic's Jon Machota.

The 61-year-old's contract is set to expire next Tuesday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported.

The Cowboys missed the playoffs for the first time in four seasons this winter after losing Dak Prescott to a midseason hamstring injury.

Dallas has made the playoffs in three of McCarthy's five seasons of the helm, and finished his two losing campaigns without Prescott, although the team has just one postseason win during that span.

McCarthy said after the Cowboys' season-ending loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday that he "absolutely" wanted to return for another year with the franchise.

"I have a lot invested here. And the Cowboys have a lot invested in me," he said, per Reuters.

If the Cowboys ultimately decide to move from McCarthy, preventing him from speaking with other teams in the early stages of the offseason coaching carousel could damage his shot at campaigning for jobs before clubs hire other candidates.

The Bears are reportedly pursuing McCarthy alongside other candidates including Detroit Lions coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel.

Should the Bears need to move early to snag a candidate in high demand like Vrabel, who is reportedly also a top target for the New England Patriots, the team could be pushed to make a decision before McCarthy becomes available.

There's also a chance the Cowboys are focused on hashing out the terms of McCarthy's next contract. Jones repeatedly expressed confidence in his fifth-year head coach throughout the season despite the team's struggles without Prescott.

If Dallas doesn't provide McCarthy with an answer by next week, Jones will risk the head coach hitting the open market and potentially commanding interest from several teams seeking new leaders this offseason.

It would also give Chicago another chance at the veteran coach, if the team is willing to wait.

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey apologized to the Cowboys cheerleader he inadvertently struck with one of his kickoffs in Sunday's 23-19 loss to the Washington Commanders.

According to TMZ Sports, Michelle Siemienowski shared on Instagram the note she received from Aubrey, who said he was "so sorry about hitting you on KO!" She said in a caption over the photo the 2023 All-Pro had tried apologizing in person. She added she doesn't have any hard feelings toward him and joked she got a "souvenir for my last game of my rookie season!"

Siemienowski had her back to the action when the Cowboys were kicking off in the second quarter, so she didn't see Aubrey's badly sliced effort as it traveled toward the sideline.

The blow was enough to knock Siemienowski down, but she quickly returned to her feet and didn't look any worse for wear.

Aubrey was a perfect 4-of-4 on his field goal attempts in Week 18. His 40 makes on the season were second only to the Pittsburgh Steelers' Chris Boswell, who made 41.

The Chicago Bears are seeking permission to speak with Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Todd Archer.

The Cowboys had yet to respond to the Bears' request as of 4 p.m. ET Monday, per Schefter.

McCarthy is currently signed with the Cowboys through Jan. 14.

Dallas owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Sunday he had not yet made a decision as to who would be coaching the team next season, per The Athletic's Jon Machota.

McCarthy led the Cowboys to a 7-10 record in 2024 as a season-ending injury to Dak Prescott led to the team missing the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.

He said after the season wrapped up with a Week 18 loss to the Washington Commanders that he "absolutely" wanted to remain with the Cowboys.

"I have a lot invested here, and the Cowboys have a lot invested in me," McCarthy said on Sunday, per DallasCowboys.com's Tommy Yarrish. "And then there's a personal side to all these decisions. So, they all point in the right direction."

McCarthy then mentioned his Super Bowl victory with the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium during the 2010 season as he made his case for the franchise to keep him on.

"I don't like to talk about myself that way, but I'll just be clear. I'm a winner. I know how to win," McCarthy said. "I've won a championship. I won a championship in this building. And that's who I am.

"We'll see where it goes."

The Bears are searching for a permanent replacement for Matt Eberflus, who was fired after Chicago's 4-8 start to the 2024 season.

The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain and Adam Jahns recently reported that interim head coach Thomas Brown, who marked his first win of the season in Week 18, "won't be among the favorites to land the job."

The Bears have also requested to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, per Schefter.

Chicago is looking for a head coach who can help rookie quarterback Caleb Williams take another step forward in 2025. McCarthy's experience, which includes NFL head coaching and quarterback coaching jobs, could make him an appealing candidate for that role.

McCarthy isn't the only member of the Cowboys' coaching staff awaiting a decision on his future. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and special teams coordinator John Fassel are also on expiring contracts, ESPN's Todd Archer previously reported.

If Tyreek Hill is discontented with the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons has an idea as to where he could play next.

Parsons made his pitch for Hill to come to Dallas in a Monday afternoon post on X.

The Cowboys star's invitation came after Hill expressed discontentment with the Dolphins following the team's elimination from playoff contention on Sunday.

"This is my first time I haven't been in the playoffs, so for me, like I said, I just gotta do what's best for me and my family," Hill said on Sunday. "If that's here, or wherever the case may be, I'm gonna on that door for myself. I'm opening the door.

"I'm out, bro. So, you know. It was great playing here, but at the end of the day, I've got to do what's best for my career. Because I'm too much of a competitor."

The Dolphins, who were eliminated on the final day of the regular season, were technically closer to the playoffs than the Cowboys, who have been out of the running since Week 16.

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined for the season finale with a hip injury, while Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has been out since Week 9 with a season-ending hamstring injury.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that Tagovailoa's injury is "affecting the surrounding muscles and therefore his strength and mobility, along with leaving him vulnerable to further injury."

That uncertainty may have shaken Hill's faith regarding his starting quarterback's future with the franchise, while Parsons could be hoping Prescott's return timeline offers more confidence in Dallas.

If the Dolphins and Hill do part ways this offseason, the team has motivation to make a move within the next two months. Hill is owed a $1 million roster bonus if he is still with the team as of March 114, per Spotrac.

Parsons meanwhile could determine his own future with the Cowboys by negotiating an extension this offseason. The star defender's contract is currently set to expire after the 2025 season.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that he didn't know quarterback Cooper Rush would have received a contract bonus by playing during a 23-19 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

"I didn't know about it," Jones told reporters. "I didn't even know about it until I read about it."

"Those incentives are in there for the team and we put them in there so that if someone, in his case as a backup quarterback, has to play, they've got the financial incentives but they're usually put in there because of people representing him," he added.

Rush would have received an additional $250,000 in incentives if he played 55 percent of the team's offensive snaps this season, as he already received $250,000 for appearing in over 45 percent of Dallas' offensive snaps (via CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones).

He was on the field for 52.5 percent of the Cowboys' offensive snaps heading into Week 18, and a full game likely would have allowed him to reach the 55 percent threshold.

Rush was benched in favor of Trey Lance against Washington, though.

Lance finished 20-of-34 for 244 yards without a touchdown or an interception. He also picked up 26 rushing yards on six attempts.

Rush started in each of Dallas' prior eight games after three-time Pro Bowl passer Dak Prescott underwent season-ending hamstring surgery.

He likely would have earned a hefty contract bonus by closing out the regular season, but the Cowboys chose to finish the year with Lance under center.

As Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy's job status remains uncertain, owner Jerry Jones continues to place his trust in McCarthy, whose contract expires on Wednesday.

"Mike's one of the best coaches that I think there is," Jones told reporters after the Cowboys 23-19 loss to Washington. "He was made the coach here because I thought that, and he's done absolutely nothing to diminish my opinion of him as a coach."

Following the team's 10th loss of the season, which contributed to their fourth losing season in the past 20 years, Jones addressed the media for more than 40 minutes, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. Although he spoke highly of the fifth-year coach, Jones did not commit to McCarthy for the 2025 season.

"I don't know that I am considering making a change is really what I'm trying to say," Jones said, per Archer.

The 61-year-old coach, with 18 years of NFL head coaching experience, posted a 49-35 regular season record since taking over in 2020. He is 1-3 in the playoffs, failing to advance past the divisional round and has helped in extending the Cowboys' Super Bowl drought to 29 straight seasons.

Amid the uncertainty, McCarthy has been rumored as a favorite for the New Orleans Saints head coaching position, despite his statements expressing a desire to remain in Dallas.

"I have a lot invested here. And the Cowboys have a lot invested in me," McCarthy told reporters. "And then there's a personal side to all these decisions. They all point the right direction. I think anytime you invest your time, energy, your belief, the connection you have, the relationships that are in place here, the understanding of what the organization can do and is willing to do, those are all positive attributes that you take into account."

No timeline has been provided for Jones' decision, as the Cowboys hold exclusive negotiating rights with McCarthy through Jan. 14. However, it appears Jones would grant McCarthy permission to speak with other teams if requests are made, per Archer.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones made it abundantly clear that he's not giving up his general manager duties during a chat with NFL Network's Jane Slater after his team's 23-19 home loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday to cap a 7-10 season.

Slater relayed the quotes from Jones, who notably said: "the facts are…since I have to decide where the money is spent, then you might as well cut all the bulls--t. That's who's making the call anyway."

The Cowboys received much scrutiny during the offseason after failing to make any splashy moves to bring in outside talent and improve the roster.

Dallas did re-sign quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to highlight the offseason, but it was clear the Cowboys needed some help on both sides of the ball to hopefully improve a disappointing 2023 finish, which saw the team fall 48-32 to the No. 7 seed Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card round.

However, alarm bells sounded after Dallas fell 44-19 to the New Orleans Saints in Week 2. The Cowboys did rebound a bit and found themselves 3-2 after five games, but a five-game losing streak then followed. During that stretch, Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in Week 9 versus the Atlanta Falcons.

Cooper Rush took over down the stretch, and the Cowboys did post a respectable finish, going 4-3. But it wasn't nearly good enough for the playoffs as Dallas finished four games behind the Packers for the final playoff spot.

Dallas now enters the offseason with major questions on offense and defense, but Jones has to answer a big head coaching question. Mike McCarthy's five-year contract expires on January 14, and it's a waiting game to see if he'll be extended or let go.

For now, though, the Cowboys have now officially gone 30 seasons since they've made the NFC Championship Game, let alone make or win the Super Bowl. Jones has certainly fielded his fair share of criticism along the way for his decisions, but it's clear he will not be ceding any control based on his postgame comments.

As rumors swirl about Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy potentially moving to New Orleans to take over the Saints program, McCarthy is making it clear that he "absolutely" wants to remain in Dallas.

"I have a lot of confidence in myself as a head coach," McCarthy said, per The Athletic's Jon Machota. "... I'm definitely in position with Jerry to move the program forward. There's no question about that in mind."

Machota reported that McCarthy believes that he and Dallas Owner Jerry Jones will get together in the "near future" to discuss the matter as Jones remains unsure what the future holds.

"I don't know that I am considering making a (coaching) change," Jones said, per Machota.

The possibility of bringing back McCarthy with a different offensive play-caller is something that Jones would not rule out, adding that "anything is possible," per Machota.

The Athletic's Diana Russini reported Saturday that the Saints "could also look at" McCarthy if he were to move on from the Cowboys, in addition to Kansas City's offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, who is also being considered.

In addition to Jones, franchise quarterback Dak Prescott has shown his support for McCarthy despite the Cowboys' 7-10 losing season, their fourth in the last 10 years.

"It's tough to probably get your job done and do your job with all that hanging over your head," Prescott said about McCarthy, per ESPN's Todd Archer. "But credit to him, credit to his professionalism and really his coach's style of being able to get guys being ready to play and go out there and finish and take pride in what we finish and what we put on tape... Obviously, I'm a promoter of bringing him back."

Despite this, following the Cowboys' 23-19 loss to the Washington Commanders on Saturday in their final game of the season, McCarthy fueled speculation about his future by taking extra time to embrace staff members in the locker room, a gesture that Dallas News beat writer Calvin Watkins noted he had never seen before.

The 61-year-old has been the Cowboys' head coach since 2020 and with his contract set to expire on Jan. 14, the team has yet to offer an extension.