Mike McCarthy to Step Back from NFL Coaching in 2025, Will Focus on 2026 Hiring Cycle
In a surprising move, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has announced that he will not be coaching in the NFL during the 2025 season. Instead, McCarthy plans to take a year off from the sidelines and focus on preparing for the 2026 NFL hiring cycle.
McCarthy, who led the Cowboys to a successful 2023 season and has been with the team since 2020, emphasized his decision as one of personal growth and long-term strategic planning. The 60-year-old coach, who previously won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers, stated, “This year is about reflection, honing my craft, and ensuring I’m in the best possible position to take on new opportunities when the right time comes.”
This move comes as a surprise given McCarthy’s strong tenure in Dallas, where he has helped elevate the Cowboys into Super Bowl contenders. Many expected McCarthy to continue guiding the team through 2025, especially considering his recent success and ongoing relationship with quarterback Dak Prescott.
The decision also raises questions about the future of the Cowboys’ coaching staff for the 2025 season. Team owner Jerry Jones has expressed his full support for McCarthy’s decision, noting that the team is “committed to a long-term vision” under McCarthy’s leadership, whether or not he is actively coaching that year.NFL insiders have speculated that McCarthy’s break could be part of a larger plan to recharge for a potential new opportunity in 2026, a year that could feature significant coaching changes across the league.
As McCarthy steps away, the Cowboys will be on the lookout for an interim coach for the 2025 season, though the specifics of this plan have yet to be finalized.More details are expected as the Cowboys and McCarthy work through the implications of his unexpected decision.
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