So what was the sticking point as the Cowboys’ Jerry Jones and coach Mike Fisher mutually agreed to part ways?

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. McCarthy, who has made the playoffs 12 times in 18 seasons, is expected to be a strong candidate a year from now. pic.twitter.com/Vr8mMijIkq

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the former Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers headman removed himself from the New Orleans Saints head coaching race last night. McCarthy’s intentions will now be on the 2026 head coaching cycle.

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

Reports late Tuesday night surfaced that Mike McCarthy is no longer in consideration for the New Orleans Saints head coaching vacancy. McCarthy, 61, had been th

Mike McCarthy has decided against coaching in 2025, removing himself as a candidate to fill the NFL’s last remaining head coaching vacancy with the New Orleans Saints.

Mike McCarthy isn’t looking for a new job right away. The ex-Cowboys coach won’t be searching for a new head coaching gig until the 2026 hiring cycle.

Can Kansas City afford to keep Trey Smith and Nick Bolton? Plus, the Jaguars’ GM search, Senior Bowl prospects and more in Albert Breer’s mailbag.

If the Cowboys played things differently, they could have had their all-star coaching staff. | From @ReidDHanson

McCarthy is widely seen as a better head-coaching candidate than Schottenheimer, who had never served as a head coach before this month.

New prediction betting market Kalshi, similar to a sportsbook except bettors are not wagering against the house, projects Kellen Moore to be the Saints’ next head coach at 94 percent.