New revelations about Mike McCarthy’s departure from the Cowboys indicate that his request for a contract extension played a major role, as Jerry Jones' counteroffer fell short of his expectations. Jerry Jones has already secured a new head coach for the Dallas Cowboys ahead of the upcoming season,

Mike McCarthy has decided that he will not coach in the NFL in the 2025 season, NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday, as the former Cowboys and Packers head coach has decided to instead focus on the 2026 hiring cycle.

The 12th-winningest head coach in NFL history will reportedly spend 2025 focusing on the 2026 hiring cycle. It’s a tactic he’s used before.

Weeks after being unable to come to a contract agreement with the Cowboys, Mike McCarthy has decided he will not coach in the NFL in 2025 and will instead focus on the 2026 hiring cycle, per NFL Network.

So what was the sticking point as the Cowboys’ Jerry Jones and coach Mike McCarthy mutually agreed to part ways?

With options thin on both sides, could Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys decide to run it back for the 2025 season?

The Cowboys have moved on from Mike McCarthy and now the veteran head coach has made a decision on his future.

Former Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy will not be coaching in the NFL next season, opting to wait for the next coaching cycle.

Former #Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy has decided to focus on the 2026 hiring cycle and will not coach in the NFL this season, sources tell me and @RapSheet. McCarthy, who has made the playoffs 12 times in 18 seasons, is expected to be a strong candidate a year from now. pic.twitter.com/Vr8mMijIkq

Former Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy does not plan to coach this year. The New Orleans Saints are the only team still looking to hire a head coach, with six other franchises previously filling their vacancies.

Mike McCarthy isn’t looking for a new job right away. The ex-Cowboys coach won’t be searching for a new head coaching gig until the 2026 hiring cycle.