Earlier this month, the Dallas Cowboys made the decision to part ways with former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. In five seasons as the Cowboys head coach, McCarthy was 49-35, which included three consecutive 12-5 seasons from 2021-2023. However, his 1-3 record in the postseason made his future in Dallas uncertain, and ultimately may have led to the decision not to renew his contract following a 7-10 season in 2024.
Of course, McCarthy was first hired by the Cowboys in 2020 following his 2018 dismissal from the Packers. As fans recall, he was the head coach of Green Bay when they won Super Bowl XLV. In 13 seasons with the team, he was 125-77-2. The Packers won six NFC North titles during his tenure and appeared in four NFC Championship Games.
Former Green Bay Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy Was Passed Over for the Chicago Bears Job
Prior to the decision not bring McCarthy back, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had denied the Chicago Bears permission to interview him for their then-open head coaching position. When news broke that Dallas had not allowed Chicago to interview him, many assumed that McCarthy could return to the team in 2025.
Alas, he will not.
When his contract did expire, the Bears flew him out to Chicago to interview him in person. However, instead of hiring him, they chose former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who has no head coaching experience.
With the Bears job off the market, many believed that the Super Bowl-winning coach would get the New Orleans Saints job. Indeed, he was one of the favorites to land the position.
The key word, of course, being “was.”
Green Bay Packers Fans React to Mike McCarthy Taking His Name Out of Consideration for the New Orleans Saints Job
On Tuesday night, it was reported that McCarthy informed the Saints that he does not want to be considered for their head coach position. Instead, he will focus on a return to the NFL during the 2026 hiring cycle. He did something similar after he was fired by Green Bay, sitting out the 2019 season before being hired by Dallas.
Packers fans seem to think this was a smart move by their former coach:
That’s probably for the best lol. I just could never see him taking that Saints job. https://t.co/mrHTNSU7mw
— Lambeau Nation (@lambeau_nations) January 29, 2025
Nobody wants the Saints job. https://t.co/gi1Wprzhpz
— Wendell Ferreira (@wendellfp) January 29, 2025
Future @steelers Head Coach. https://t.co/aFqBAwTzPW
— Mike Wickett 🇺🇲🎙🏈🏀👨👧👧👩👦🤘🚀 (@mikewickett) January 29, 2025
Gotta say I called this one. I think it’s the right decision for Mike McCarthy. https://t.co/U6PaaU7ARC
— Gridiron_Gains (@GG3BetsFantasy) January 29, 2025
One has to wonder what jobs will come open in 2026. McCarthy may have his pick of teams that include the New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts, and his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers.
More Green Bay Packers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- “I’m Not Watching Super Bowl 59;” Packers and Other NFL Fans Plan to Boycott the Super Bowl After Watching Sunday’s Games
- “The Competitive Integrity of the Game Is Completely Compromised;” Former Packers QB Makes Stunning Announcement During the AFC Championship Game
- “He’s Interested;” Packers Suddenly See Coach Interview for Seattle Seahawks Position
- Former Packers Rival Head Coach Retires from the NFL
- Packers Fans Are Convinced 4x Pro Bowler Is Headed to Lambeau After Brian Gutekunst Update
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