Editor's note: This story was published early Monday. Later, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Mike McCarthy is not expected to return to Dallas and is now set to become a free agent, per source. The two sides engaged in no discussions about a new deal, and McCarthy is expected to be a candidate in Chicago and New Orleans.
FRISCO, Texas -- Deadlines make deals. At least that's how the Dallas Cowboys like to operate.
So it should be no surprise if the Cowboys take the exclusive negotiating window they have with Mike McCarthy and his entire coaching staff all the way up to Tuesday's deadline. They did it with quarterback Dak Prescott's contract. They did it with receiver CeeDee Lamb's contract. They will likely do it with edge rusher Micah Parsons' next contract.
The New England Patriots are the only team to hire a new coach (Mike Vrabel) thus far, so it's not like McCarthy's window has closed on other jobs. The Chicago Bears asked for permission to speak with McCarthy last week, but the Cowboys denied the request. He could still speak with the Bears as soon as Wednesday if he and the Cowboys don't agree on a new deal before then.
With McCarthy's contract having expired and the Cowboys' exclusive negotiating period ending Tuesday, here's where things stand:
McCarthy spoke with owner and general manager Jerry Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones at least three times last week. The initial discussions were about what happened in 2024, going through their normal end-of-season protocol. The other days were about the future and what could change in terms of the Cowboys' approach to roster building, McCarthy's approach to offense and McCarthy's approach to his coaching staff.
Since there has been no fallout since then, the safe assumption is both sides see a track to move forward for 2025 and beyond with a new contract.
Multiple league sources said McCarthy made $8 million per season on the five-year deal he signed in 2020. Does he get a raise coming off a 7-10 record? Does he get a raise based off his 49-35 record over those five years?
After the Cowboys' season-ending loss to the Washington Commanders, Jones mentioned an "incentive plan" when it comes to coaches.
"For instance, I might say, 'Look, I'm going to pay you this much, but then [I won't pay you] any more. And I know you want twice that, but if you get to the playoffs or you win a Super Bowl, I'll give you five times that,'" Jones said.
Jones said fans he talks to are in favor of incentive plans.
That's a concept seen more in colleges for conference championships, bowl victories and/or a national championship. However, coach Sean Payton reportedly has bonuses in his contract with the Denver Broncos, and he is making $18 million a year.
Payton and McCarthy have the same number of Super Bowl victories (one) and McCarthy's (2010 with the Packers) is more recent than Payton's (2009 with the Saints).
Perhaps Jones is looking for a way to reset the coaching market with the structure of this deal.
While there is no salary cap on NFL coaching staffs, Jones' staffs have not been among the top paid in the league. (Yes, he paid Payton and Mike Zimmer $1 million as assistants under head coach Bill Parcells, but that was two decades ago.) He loathes the size of coaching staffs, too. Last year, he mentioned more than once the 30-plus assistants on the Cowboys' staff in a less-than-flattering manner.
But something has to happen soon with McCarthy -- and time will tell whether this deadline results in a deal or a departure.