Cowboys Rumors: NFL Insiders Think Mike McCarthy Has 'Small Chance' to Return as HC

The Dallas Cowboys have yet to make a decision on the status of head coach Mike McCarthy for the 2025 NFL season, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Fowler reported Thursday that "more industry sources than I expected believe McCarthy has a small chance to stay." He added that the Cowboys "are not leaning in one direction as of this moment" and "will have open and honest talks with McCarthy next week."

Despite the fact the Cowboys are assured of finishing with a losing record regardless of what happens in Week 18, team owner Jerry Jones has maintained a positive tone when discussing McCarthy.

That continued Tuesday, when Jones made his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas.

"Well, I feel good about Mike McCarthy, and the main thing is that I like that job that he's done," he said (via ESPN's Todd Archer). "It's unfortunate we're having the year we had, but I feel good about Mike."

McCarthy's exit looked inevitable when Dallas was sitting at 3-7. Then the team won four of its next five games, a stretch that might've done wonders for the job security of its coach.

Beyond what the Cowboys have done in the second half, Fowler wrote McCarthy may benefit from a "weak candidate pool." Jones and the front office could come to the determination an upgrade isn't readily available after undertaking a cursory examination of the coaching market.

The downside of that approach is that Dallas would pretty much be in the same position it finds itself now. Even assuming McCarthy signed a multiyear extension, most would probably assume he's yet again coaching for his job in 2025. Could he survive a second straight year without qualifying the playoffs?

Retaining McCarthy probably wouldn't be received well within the fanbase, either, setting the stage for another angst-ridden campaign in North Texas.