Head coach Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys have parted ways after a five-year career marked by playoff failure.

McCarthy’s contract expires on Tuesday. According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, McCarthy and the Cowboys’ leadership were unable to agree on a contract extension, among other things. He is now open to negotiations and interviews with other teams. Expected suitors include the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints.

McCarthy, 61, compiled a 49-35 record in his half-decade in Big D. Unfortunately, he was eliminated by playoff failure. This included losing consecutive postseason games to the rival San Francisco 49ers. Overall, the Cowboys were 1-3 in the playoffs under McCarthy.

Last season was a disaster, with Dallas finishing 7-10 and finishing third in the NFC East. This had led to earlier speculation that McCarthy would be out of a job. This has now borne fruit.

For a Cowboys team that hasn’t made it to the NFC Championship Game since the 1995 season, the attention now turns to finding a replacement.

Owner Jerry Jones put them in a difficult position by waiting for a decision on McCarthy. They missed the opportunity to interview Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn during Detroit’s bye. Dallas will now have to wait for the Lions’ season to end. However, they are two expected candidates.

Top candidates to become the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys

We know Jones will be hunting big game. That’s not even in question. Some well-known personalities will be involved in the interview. That’s for sure. Here’s a look at some potential frontrunners.

Mike Zimmer

Jones hired Zimmer to be the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator this season. He replaced Dan Quinn, who left to become head coach of the Washington Commanders.

Things didn’t go so well in that regard. Dallas ranked 31st in the league with 27.5 points per game. This came after that unit scored the fifth-fewest points in the NFL in 2023.

Still, Jones is all about connections and loyalty. Remember, Zimmer was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator from 2000 to 2006. At least he gets an interview.

Ben Johnson

With his Lions set to face the Commanders in the NFC Divisional Playoffs, Johnson remains the hottest name in the NFL head coaching scene. This has actually been the case in recent cycles.

For good reason. The 38-year-old offensive wizard led the No. 1-ranked offense in the NFL with 33.2 points per game during the regular season. He has quarterback Jared Goff playing at an MVP level. The former No. 1 pick threw for 4,629 yards with 37 touchdowns and 12 interceptions during the regular season. Given how much the Cowboys have invested in Dak Prescott, Johnson seems like the logical choice.

Dallas will obviously have competition for Johnson’s services. He is said to be the focus of the Las Vegas Raiders head coach search.

Aaron Glenn

Detroit’s defense under Glenn was almost as impressive as Johnson’s offense during the regular season. Despite a few serious injuries, including one to star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, this unit finished seventh in points allowed.

Glenn has long been considered a head coach in waiting. The former NFL defensive back has now been a top-10 defensive player in three consecutive seasons. That kind of consistency should get the attention of those in charge in the Big D as the Dallas Cowboys head coaching search begins.

Pete Carroll

Each of the last two Cowboys head coaches were offensive-minded. It’s too early to say if this is a trend. But Jones and Co. might want to make a change. What better way to do this than with a defensive-minded head coach in Carroll who won a Super Bowl in that role?

Carroll’s success with the Seattle Seahawks cannot be ignored. He compiled a 137-89 record from 2010 to 2023 and led the team to 10 playoff appearances and two Super Bowl appearances.

It is also important to note that Carroll’s experience on defense dates back to his time as defensive coordinator of the New York Jets in 1990. The only question here is whether Dallas would consider hiring a 73-year-old as its next head coach.

Bill Belichick

Belichick recently surprisingly took over as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels. This came after a brilliant 24-year run with the New England Patriots in which they won six Super Bowl titles.

Considering Belichick is now playing in North Carolina, it seems highly unlikely that he would quickly return to the professional ranks. However, it is important to note that his contract with the Tar Heels only includes a $10 million severance payment. Belichick and Jones also have a close relationship.

“Bill Belichick would have been interested in the Cowboys job, and one assumes Dallas would have been interested in him had he known the position would become available,” Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz recently reported.

“Belichick and his camp never received any indication during the backchannel discussions that the position would become available, which was partly why he ended up at UNC. Belichick has an excellent relationship with the Jones family.”

This is exactly the kind of splash rental Jones is going for. Given Belichick’s background and his relationship with Jones, I wouldn’t rule it out.

Deion Sanders

That just makes too much sense. There has been a lot of talk about this Pro Football Hall of Famer making the jump from Colorado to the NFL. In fact, Sanders has shown interest in at least one opening.

Sanders, who is considered an unpredictable figure, managed to turn around a previously failed Colorado program in Boulder. He previously led Jackson State into the national spotlight.

There’s also a lot to be said about Sanders’ relationship with Jones. He played with the Cowboys from 1995 to 1999, the last of their glory days. Jones and Sanders have been close ever since.

“One of his greatest skills that he really brings to college is that he is unparalleled as a recruiter,” Jones said back in November, via The Athletic. “But make no mistake, he’s one of the top guys, young or old, that I’ve been around in the NFL.”

That could throw a wrench into the idea of ​​Sanders going to Big D. But I know he will get a chance in the interview. Whether this means Sanders will be the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys remains to be seen.