The Dallas Cowboys hired Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach. With Cooper Rush and Trey Lance set to be free agents, the Cowboys could be looking for a reliable backup in free agency.

McCarthy, whose contract expired with the Cowboys and wasn't signed to an extension, will sit out the 2025 season, according to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero. McCarthy removed his name from consideration for the New Orleans Saints' vacancy. The Saints are the last team to have a head coaching job open this offseason.

A few weeks back, right after the NFL season ended, the Dallas Cowboys announced that they were getting rid of their head coach, Mike McCarthy. Prior to joining the Cowboys, McCarthy was coach of the Green Bay Packers, where he won a Super Bowl. He was brought to Dallas to do the same.

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.

McCarthy, a veteran NFL coach with head coaching stints in Dallas and Green Bay, went 49-34 as the head coach of America's Team. The puzzling part of decision to let McCarthy walk was the timing, as the franchise missed out on opportunities to interview top candidates of the cycle like Lions coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn.

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.

"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," Pelissero wrote on X. "McCarthy, who has made the playoffs 12 times in 18 seasons, is expected to be a strong candidate a year from now."

Winning is not everything; it is the only thing,” is a quote legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi helped make famous decades ago.

After careful consideration, Mike McCarthy has made a decision on his future. The former Dallas Cowboys ' head coach has decided to forego coaching in the NFL next season, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. MORE: Cowboys' VP Will McClay emphasizes organizational alignment with Brian Schottenheimer

The San Francisco 49ers missed the playoffs last season and could be aggressive this offseason to find their way back. They could turn to the trade market to upgrade their defense.

Mike McCarthy reportedly will not be the next head coach of the New Orleans Saints. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday

Al Harris comes to the Chicago Bears after serving as the Dallas Cowboys' defensive backs coach the last five seasons.