The search for the Dallas Cowboys' next head coach is underway.
On Monday, longtime Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones confirmed that the organization and coach Mike McCarthy have mutually agreed to part ways. “However, before we reached the stage of contract negotiations, it became mutually clear that it would be better for each of us to go our separate ways. I would like to thank Mike and express my gratitude to him, his wife Jessica, and I wish his family all the best. He was a great member of the community here,” Jones said in a statement obtained by ESPN.
After news of Mr. McCarthy's resignation surfaced, speculation continued about his possible replacement. During pregame coverage of Monday's wild-card round game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings, ESPN reported that the former Cowboys star tight end is being considered for a head coaching position.
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Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten smiles on the sideline during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Matthew Emmons-USA Today Sports)
“They can and will conduct a search here to find the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.” Adam Schefter said ESPN's “Monday Night Countdown” is currently being broadcast.
NFL great Troy Aikman slams Cowboys over Mike McCarthy's departure
“Obviously it's new. It's early days. We'll see what it does for them. There's a lot of names floating around. At some point, they're going to hire Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen. I think we can get some level in Moore, and potentially Jason as well.'' Witten, the greatest franchise of all time, but this is in the very early stages and ultimately what direction Jerry Jones takes. You'll understand. It's a market for a new head coach. ”
Elizabeth graduate and former Tennessee Volunteer Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys watches from the sideline during the Blue Cross Bowl between Tullahoma and Elizabethton at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga on Dec. 4, 2021. (Brianna Pacholka/News Sentinel/USA Today Network)
Witten was selected by the Cowboys in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He spent all but one of his NFL seasons with the franchise. Witten originally retired after the 2017 season and spent some time in the ESPN broadcast booth. However, he ultimately returned to the Cowboys in 2019.
He remains the franchise's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. Witten last appeared in an NFL game in 2020 with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Another former Cowboys star, Deion Sanders, has also been linked to the coaching vacancy after parting ways with McCarthy.
Colorado State football coach Deion Sanders faces Texas Tech in a Big 12 game at Jones AT&T Stadium on Nov. 9, 2024. (Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Sanders won a Super Bowl during his five-year tenure with the Cowboys and is currently the head football coach at the University of Colorado.
Jerry Jones and Jason Witten attend LIVE On Netflix: Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on November 15, 2024. (Sarah Steer/Getty Images for Netflix © 2024)
If Sanders ultimately lands in the Dallas-Forth Worth Metroplex, his arrival would coincide with one of Jones' recent coaching hires. Jason Garrett served as the Cowboys' head coach from 2010 to 2019. He primarily served as Troy Aikman's backup quarterback from 1993 to 1999.
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The Cowboys are looking to reset after finishing this regular season with a 7-10 record. Starting quarterback Dak Prescott missed the last nine games with a hamstring injury.
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