The Dallas Cowboys are running back with head coach Mike McCarthy in 2025. Did McCarthy really even have a choice to return?

This is what Cowboys purgatory looks like. Mike McCarthy’s job with the team is very much undecided with his contract expiring in less than a week. But as ESPN reported Thursday, the “future” was on the table during a recent discussion between the Super Bowl-winning coach and team owner Jerry Jones.

Mike McCarthy says he absolutely wants to return as the coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Jerry Jones has dropped multiple hints that McCarthy would be back, but the team owner was far from definitive about McCarthy’s future after a 23-19 loss to Washington finished a 7-10 season.

Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is in deep talks with HC Mike McCarthy regarding either a new contract or an exit from Dallas. Fowler

Despite almost polar opposite reputations, the Pittsburgh Steelers' Mike Tomlin and Dallas Cowboys' Mike McCarthy have almost identical coaching resumes.

The Dallas Cowboys are fully committed to Dak Prescott, and their franchise quarterback wants Mike McCarthy back as the coach.

According to Dianna Russini, Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy is not among the lengthy list of coaching candidates the Jets have requested permission to interview.  The Jets could just be waiting for McCarthy’s contract with the Cowboys to expire,

ARLINGTON — Mike McCarthy gave a good account of himself during the Cowboys’ final game, even with the club’s natural third-string quarterback running the show. The Cowboys led playoff-bound Washington most of the day including with six seconds to go before falling 23-19 to drop their record to 7-10.

The Bears might be on Mike McCarthy's radar if he doesn't return to the Cowboys as their head coach next season.

As he embarks on the final game of the 2024 season, Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said he hasn’t held any discussions with the front office regarding his future.