Mike McCarthy's potential replacements explored: Who could Jerry Jones turn to in 2025?

Mike McCarthy could be a Super Bowl miss away from losing his job following the 2024 season. Depending on how poorly things go this season, a change could be in order. There is no information indicating this other than precedents set by other teams who have decided to move on from their coaches before the end of the year, such as the 2023 Raiders.

That said, merely removing Mike McCarthy from the equation isn't enough. Once that happens, the Dallas Cowboys need to find a suitable replacement. Here's a look at a handful of names who could replace Mike McCarthy in 2025.

Dan Quinn

Dan Quinn at Washington Commanders Training Camp - Source: Getty

The Cowboys defensive coordinator was part of the birth of the Legion of Boom in the early 2010s with the Seahawks. He also has worked as a head coach in a Super Bowl with the Atlanta Falcons. If McCarthy loses his job this season, Quinn appears to be the front-runner to step in.

With a veteran team like the Cowboys, one might not want a new face leading the charge in 2025. Quinn's defenses have been solid over the past several years, putting him back on track to get a gig as a head coach somewhere. As such, a McCarthy-less Cowboys unit looks like a perfect fit for Quinn.

Brian Flores

Brian Flores at Pittsburgh Steelers v Miami Dolphins - Source: Getty

Flores comes from the Bill Belichick line of coaches. His release from the Miami Dolphins shocked fans around the country after solidly developing Tua Tagovailoa. Since then, he has landed with a couple of teams, including the Steelers and Vikings.

He brings head coaching experience to the table, but not quite at the level of Dan Quinn. If Quinn can't be had, Flores makes sense as a different defensive-minded head coach.

Bill Belichick

Bill Belichick at New England Patriots Press Conference - Source: Getty

Bill Belichick is out of the league after failing to land a job this offseason. However, the former New England Patriots head coach might want back into the game in 2025. McCarthy proved that a year off could work wonders for his system. Belichick, a coach with a workaholic mindset, will have plenty of time to update his system.

If Cowboys owner Jerry Jones were to take a risk on Belichick, he might be rewarded in a way not seen since Jimmy Johnson. Of course, the downside is the chance that the Cowboys instantly slip into a six-win unit like the Patriots have hovered around over the last two years on average.

Mike Vrabel

Mike Vrabel at Seattle Seahawks v Tennessee Titans - Source: Getty

The Titans head coach was given his walking papers after one season with Will Levis that didn't immediately produce results. Levis, a rookie, was expected to struggle in his first NFL season. However, the Titans elected not to give another year to Vrabel.

As such, one can only wonder if it was Levis or the head coach who ground things to a stop last season. If Jones retains Dak Prescott, the pairing of Vrabel and Prescott could resemble the look of Ryan Tannehill and the head coach. Vrabel's team has reached an AFC Championship; reaching a similar level with the Cowboys would be a massive step for the franchise.