Details Emerge About Why Mike McCarthy Left The Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys decided to part ways with head coach Mike McCarthy this offseason, opting not to extend his contract and promoting offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to the position.

Reports from McCarthy’s side indicate that he plans to sit out the 2025 season, focusing on the 2026 coaching cycle.

This decision isn’t surprising, given that only one NFL head coaching spot remains open.

New information has come to light about the reasons behind McCarthy and the Cowboys’ split.

“The length of the contract was an issue. McCarthy wanted multiple years, and Jerry [Jones] wasn’t willing to give that. That’s what led to everything,” FOX Sports insider Jordan Schultz explained on the Ross Tucker Podcast.

Schultz also suggested that the Cowboys prioritize “eyeballs and clicks” more than winning.

McCarthy led Dallas to 12-win seasons for three straight years, so despite the team’s playoff disappointments and a 7-10 record this season, he arguably deserved an extension or another coaching opportunity elsewhere.

Once it became evident that McCarthy and the Cowboys weren’t a fit, he had no seat when the 2025 cycle ended and was forced to wait until the next year.

The criticism that the Cowboys care more about attention isn’t new, but if that were true, they likely would have hired Deion Sanders.

Schottenheimer’s promotion was not a flashy move, and it’s uncommon for a coordinator to become head coach.

It will be interesting to see if the Cowboys made the right choice and where McCarthy will go next.