Why did the Cowboys move on from Mike McCarthy? Dallas elects not to bring back head coach after disappointing 2024

The Mike McCarthy era in Dallas is over. 

There is no sugarcoating it — the Cowboys’ 2024 season was a massive disappointment. Dallas entered the season with the expectations of competing for an NFC East title and getting into the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. The team went 12-5 in 2023, winning the NFC East before suffering an embarrassing wild-card loss to the Packers at home.

That was a sign of things to come as the Cowboys posted a measly 7-10 record in 2024, missing the postseason entirely. 

The big question entering the offseason was surrounding the future of Mike McCarthy. The head coach’s contract expired at the end of the season, putting him at a crossroads with the Cowboys. Owner Jerry Jones could either re-up McCarthy to continue in his role or pivot elsewhere and let the coach leave for another destination. 

Dallas ultimately ended up parting ways with McCarthy, setting off the first domino in what is expected to be an offseason of change in Dallas. 

Here is more to know about the Cowboys’ decision to let go of McCarthy. 

NFL COACHING NEWS:

Why did the Cowboys fire McCarthy?

The Cowboys and McCarthy ultimately could not agree to a new deal. The coach was in need of a contract since his expired at the end of the 2024 season, and while there were talks between the two sides, by the end, the decision was to go in a different direction. 

McCarthy’s inability to succeed in the postseason was his downfall, continuing the trend of Dallas head coaches who have been unable to make a deep run in the playoffs. 

The big problem during McCarthy’s time with the Cowboys is that the success in the regular season never translated to the postseason. In the three seasons in which Dallas reached the playoffs, the organization combined for one playoff victory and never reached a conference championship. 

In addition, performance during a contract year is a big discussion when it comes to players. A pending free agent can make or break their next deal with a strong or poor showing before they need a new contract. That applies to head coaches as well, and in McCarthy’s case, the Cowboys’ regression could not have come at a worse time. McCarthy strung together three consecutive seasons with 12 wins and reached the playoffs, but this year, the team took a major step backwards, failing to make the postseason. 

Jones isn’t one that makes a coaching change in the middle of the season, so it wasn’t a huge surprise to see McCarthy stay in his role throughout the season. Considering he was in need of a new contract, the decision to part ways is a lot easier to make. 

NFL DRAFT NEWS:

Mike McCarthy coaching record

McCarthy first took over as a head coach in 2006 when he was with the Packers. He spent 13 years with Green Bay, and the 2024 season was his fifth with the Cowboys.