Mike McCarthy’s Monday departure from the Dallas Cowboys immediately makes him a possible frontrunner for the Chicago Bears job to inherit promising No. 1 overall quarterback Caleb Williams, as well as a candidate for the New Orleans Saints’ opening.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, meanwhile, now faces the task of replacing a veteran head coach who got MVP-level play out of quarterback Dak Prescott in 2023, despite a disappointing past 13 months that fell short of expectations.
What dominoes will fall due to McCarthy’s availability? It could have a ripple effect on a lot of franchises:
The Cowboys: Presumably Dallas believes it can either land Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, or it has a chance to acquire a general like the Steelers’ Mike Tomlin via trade. Jones could view Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as his next Jason Garrett, but that would be a mistake. Moore’s questionable, pass-heavy play-calling in key spots of Sunday’s Eagles playoff win was the latest reason why. Bill Belichick was long rumored as a fit in Dallas post-McCarthy, but he carries a $10 million buyout at North Carolina until June. It’s also hard to imagine Cowboys players not getting whiplash if Belichick instilled no-nonsense accountability.
The Jets and Giants: If the Giants were able to, they should hire McCarthy tomorrow. His pedigree with quarterbacks, his consistent ability to score points, and his experience running a team all would be immediate upgrades for their program. Co-owner John Mara already recommitted to GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, so this is probably a moot point. Still, the Giants interviewed McCarthy for their head coaching vacancy back in 2020, and McCarthy just went 8-1 against them head-to-head as Dallas’ head coach. It’s worth putting out strong feelers to gauge his interest through back-channels. Frankly, Cowboys GM Will McClay and McCarthy would be a home run duo to hire for any franchise in need of a shift.
The Bears: It’s not crazy to think Chicago’s Williams could immediately flash his No. 1 overall pick pedigree in year two with a quarterback whisperer like McCarthy in his ear, compared to this past season’s learning experience with fired coach Matt Eberflus and fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. The NFC North is the toughest division in football, and the Bears have a president in former Big 10 commissioner Kevin Warren who wields a lot of power for a non-football executive. But this would be a better job for McCarthy than New Orleans, Jacksonville or either New York team, it would seem, given that the QB is already in place.
The Raiders: The Lions’ Johnson seems like the clear frontrunner to take over in Las Vegas, where minority owner Tom Brady is trying to help owner Marc Davis build a winner. If Dallas swoops in to court Johnson, however, McCarthy could enter the Las Vegas sweepstakes as a trusted veteran coach who may be able to steady the Raiders’ sunken ship. That could take some convincing of McCarthy, because he’d be more likely to inherit a program that he believes is closer to competing than Vegas. Still, opportunity and money might make a strong enough case.
COMMANDERS NOT A BLUEPRINT
Magic Johnson found the cameras on Sunday night and then told the media not to make Washington’s Wild Card playoff win about him. But it was good timing for the minority Commanders owner to grandstand in the spotlight.
Because it was a good reminder that Washington’s immediate turnaround is about way more even than drafting a new star quarterback in No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels. And that is exactly what Daniels is: a star.
The harsh reality for franchises like the Titans, Giants and Raiders – who are selling hope of a single quarterback draft pick like Daniels turning their own operation around – is that Washington improved because it changed everything.
Everything. From the top-down. Owner, general manager, head coach, quarterback and offensive and defensive coordinators.
Owner Josh Harris, GM Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, Daniels, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. are wall-to-wall improvements on predecessors Dan Snyder, Martin Mayhew, Ron Rivera, Sam Howell, Eric Bieniemy and Jack Del Rio, respectively.
Peters and Quinn also inherited some talent like wide receiver Terry McLaurin, running back Brian Robinson Jr. and defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.
Finding the quarterback ties it all together, no doubt. But the Houston Texans are another example of why an immediate turnaround – even with a promising young QB – isn’t necessarily replicable.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick in 2023, is a superstar. Still, he hasn’t done this alone.
Texans GM Nick Caserio used a motherload of draft picks from his trade of former quarterback Deshaun Watson to restock his roster and surround Stroud with pieces once he arrived.
Caserio has drafted wide receiver Nico Collins (third round), edge rusher Will Anderson (first round), corners Derek Stingley Jr. (first round) and Kamari Lassiter (second round), safeties Calen Bullock (third round) and Jalen Pitre (second round) and other key pieces since taking over in 2021.
Getting the quarterback is imperative, but it also takes special circumstances and making the right hires or draft picks to pull a franchise out of the depths and into the light.
AROUND THE PLAYOFFS
Go figure that the recently underwhelming Texans (32) would score the most points of any team on Wild Card weekend. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw more interceptions in L.A’s playoff loss (four) than he had all regular season (three) … Lamar Jackson’s Ravens against Buffalo’s Josh Allen in the upcoming Divisional Round might end up being the game of the year. Neither offense is showing any signs of slowing down. Jackson and Allen are the top two MVP frontrunners, and both quarterbacks are under pressure to finally win in the playoffs. The loser of this game will dwell for a long time on a missed opportunity after an explosive regular season … The Eagles should beat the winner of Monday night’s Vikings-Rams Wild Card game. But if Moore, their offensive coordinator, keeps abandoning Saquon Barkley and the running game – especially in the red zone – they will be eliminated at home … No coordinator has had a bigger impact on his team this season than Philadelphia defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Three interceptions and only 10 points allowed against a solid Packers team, led by first-team All-Pro linebacker Zach Baun, a former special teamer signed and moved inside just this past offseason. … Fangio’s continued success is a reminder of why Michigan DC Wink Martindale could make a return to the NFL in this cycle. Fangrio’s experience, attitude and scheme has transformed and strengthened the Eagles, and Martindale has that effect wherever he goes, too. … The Giants seem to want it both ways with defensive coordinator Shane Bowen: no blood on their hands if he leaves, and full confidence in him if he stays. Regardless, no one is spending more time on how Bowen’s status looks to the outside world than they are, that’s for sure.
