The Dallas Cowboys have little room for error entering their Week 14 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals if they want to make a last-second playoff run in 2024.
If they can’t, team owner and general manager Jerry Jones will have a tough decision to make about Mike McCarthy’s future.
McCarthy entered the proverbial hot seat in the 2024 NFL season, this time after another first-round flame-out in the postseason to the Green Bay Packers. Jones kept McCarthy, who was coming off consecutive 12-5 seasons, after the loss, but it was expected that the pressure would be on McCarthy to finally put up a quality run.
Instead, the Cowboys look set to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2020. That could be enough for Jones to part ways with McCarthy and bring in new leadership in 2025.
Plenty of coaches will be interested in the Dallas gig. Jones is known for having a long leash and the team has a collection of quality talent on both sides of the ball, including Dak Prescott, Sid Lamb and Micah Parsons.
Who would be the top prospect the Cowboys could consider? Here’s a look at a few, including a couple that have ties to the Dallas franchise.
2025 NFL Mock Draft: How high can elite RB Ashton Jeanty go in the first round?
Best Cowboys coaching candidate for 2025
Moore checks a lot of boxes for the Cowboys in their potential head coaching search. He has eight years of experience with the organization as a player and coach from 2015-22. He spent four seasons as the team’s offensive coordinator and regularly ranked Dallas among the league’s best offenses, including the Cowboys’ 2021 finish as the top team in both points and yards per game.
Moore’s connection to Dallas and his performance as the Eagles offensive coordinator in 2024 – Philadelphia is fifth in the league in EPA per game and first in EPA per game (0.14) – could make him an ideal choice for the Cowboys to get the most out of the skill-position. talent His previous work with Prescott would also be a plus, so it’s easy to imagine Jones relishing the opportunity to target Moore, especially if he can steal his former offensive coordinator from the rival Eagles.
Kingsbury falls into a similar category to Moore that Jones may be interested in poaching him from a division rival. Kingsbury has led the Commanders to a top-five offense in his first season as offensive coordinator – they ranked third league-wide in EPA per game entering Week 14 – and helped rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels look like a star.
The idea of pairing Kingsbury with Prescott in a vertical offense built around Lamb, KaVontae Turpin and Jake Ferguson will intrigue the Cowboys. The only question is whether they can compete with potential interest from the Chicago Bears given Kingsbury’s mediocre record (28-37-1) as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals and the veteran coach’s relationship with Caleb Williams.
Opinion: Bear coaching jobs may sound interesting. History tells another story.
Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator
If the Cowboys want to take a swing at head coach like Sean McVay, Brady could be the best option. The 35-year-old took over Buffalo’s offense midway through last season and turned it into one of the most efficient and explosive units in the NFL. The Bills rank second in EPA per play (0.16) so far in 2024 while Josh Allen is on pace for 28 passing touchdowns and a career-low seven interceptions.
Brady’s performance is no fluke either. He helped coordinate one of the best college offenses in history — the 2019 Joe Barro-run LSU Tigers — and could help Prescott thrive as the 31-year-old transitions into the latter half of his NFL career.
Drew Petzing, Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator
Petzing has done a great job in his first full season with Kyler Murray as his starting quarterback. Murray enters Week 14 as the NFL leader in QBR (75.1) and the 6-6 Cardinals are vying for a playoff berth in the wide-open NFC West.
Murray accomplished this despite having a relatively green group of skill position weapons, headlined by tight end Trey McBride and rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. That’s a credit to Petzing’s creativity and ability to scheme open receivers, and something the 37-year-old should achieve. Chief coaching shows.
Here’s another up-and-coming offensive mind for the Cowboys to consider. Coyne continues the great work that Dave Canales was doing with Baker Mayfield before Canales made the Carolina Panthers head coaching decision. Coyne is Mayfield on pace to record the best season of his career, as he is on pace to record career-best marks in completion percentage, passing yards, passing touchdowns and passer rating.
Coyne comes from the Sean McVay coach tree – he spent four years with the Los Angeles Rams from 2018-20 and 2022 – and is well-versed in McVay’s offense, which is full of pre-snap speed designed to tip the quarterback. Creates defensive coverage and mismatches. McVay’s offense has proven easy to implement across NFL teams, making Coyne a preferred candidate for coaching.
NFL Coaching Candidates: Ben Johnson, Bobby Slovic lead list for 2025 inauguration
Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator
Targeting Flores could be a powerful pivot if the Cowboys don’t go with an offensive-minded head coach. In just two seasons, Flores transformed Minnesota’s defense from the league’s worst to one of its best units, ranking third in defensive EPA (-0.12) per game and top five in takeaways.
Flores could help restore discipline and productivity to a Cowboys stop unit that sorely missed Dan Quinn in 2024. And Flores’ unique defensive scheme — which relies on crowding the line of scrimmage and frequent blitzes — has proven effective with the Vikings, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots, so it’s easy to imagine he’ll be successful in Dallas as well, especially with Parsons at the disposal.
Jason Witten, former Dallas Cowboys tight end
There is speculation that the Cowboys could target Colorado coach Deion Sanders if they go after a candidate with no previous NFL coaching experience. That said, Witten might be more likely to get a call from Jerry Jones.
Need proof? Jones was asked if Witten has a future as an NFL coach during his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan on Nov. 15, 2024.
“Yes. Without hesitation. Yes,” Jones said. “[Witten] There are things you cannot draw. He reminds me a lot of our other tight end who is the head coach in Detroit right now [Dan Campbell].
“Jason is very sophisticated in understanding football and all the nuances. But more than anything, he really understands the mentality and part of being physical. Without question, he can be [an NFL coach]. He has an amazing work ethic. … He could be a top coach.”
Witten may have potential, but he only has four years of experience as a head coach at the high school level. That wouldn’t make him the most advisable hire, but if the 82-year-old wants to give Witten a shot, he can.
This article originally appeared in USA Today: Cowboys coaching candidates: Who could replace Mike McCarthy in 2025?
