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

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

With options thin on both sides, could Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys decide to run it back for the 2025 season?

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

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.

We don’t know and never will know how Brian would have fared if his last name was Smith instead of Schottenheimer. And that makes the new Dallas Cowboy football coach a risk.

When the Dallas Cowboys announced that they are parting ways with head coach Mike McCarthy after five years when his contract to expire on January 13th, it did

The Dallas Cowboys risk losing Micah Parsons after the organization handled it's dilemma with Mike McCarthy poorly before hiring Brian Schottenheimer as the new head coach

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.

The former Cowboys fullback also discussed a ‘very challenging’ aspect Schottenheimer will face as a first-time head coach.