NFL Rumors: Mike McCarthy Not Interested in Cardinals Job, Likely to Sit Out '19

The Arizona Cardinals reportedly "reached out to Mike McCarthy, league sources said, gauging his interest in their soon-to-be-vacant head coaching job and making it clear the franchise would make sweeping changes and give McCarthy say over personnel if he was interested," according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.

Per that report, however, McCarthy "does not intend to pursue the opening" and would be more than happy to sit out the 2019 campaign if he doesn't find the perfect opening this offseason.

McCarthy, 55, went 125-77-2 in 13 seasons with the Packers, leading the team to a Super Bowl title in 2010 and nine postseason berths. With the Packers starting this season just 4-7-1, however, and missing the postseason for the second straight year, McCarthy was canned. 

The Cardinals, by all accounts, are likely to fire head coach Steve Wilks after his first season. They came into Sunday's final game at just 3-12 and reportedly won't have much patience for Wilks. 

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported that the Cardinals have already started considering their options:

"For weeks, it's been clear that the Cardinals are mulling moving on from coach Steve Wilks. As of now, it would be a major surprise if they stuck with him for 2019, despite Larry Fitzgerald and Patrick Peterson publicly stumping for Wilks. GM Steve Keim has already done research to prepare for a move. If he does somehow stay, Wilks would be expected to make major staff changes, including moving on from both coordinators."

Arizona's job perhaps isn't as appealing as other potential coaching vacancies this offseason. Rookie quarterback Josh Rosen hasn't shown the flashes of greatness like Baker Mayfield or the ability to improve an offense like Lamar Jackson and Sam Darnold. 

The Cardinals have also missed the postseason the past three seasons and don't have the draft assets or cap space that some of the other rebuilding teams around the league possess, though with $70 million currently free for next season, they will have room to be spenders.

And while the team has some solid players, the Cardinals have a major rebuild on their hands. The fact that there were rumblings that star cornerback Patrick Peterson wanted to be traded this season won't help their cause with coaching candidates, McCarthy among them.