Ex-Bengals WR accuses Cowboys' billionaire owner Jerry Jones of playing mind games with Mike McCarthy

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones decided against re-signing coach Mike McCarthy after his five-year contract expired on Tuesday. While there has been a lot of speculation on who will be the next Dallas coach, former Cincinnati Bengals wideout Chad Johnson slammed Jones.

On Monday night's "Nightcap" episode, Johnson accused Jones of playing mind games with McCarthy.

"I don't know who the victim is going to be," Johnson said in response to Shannon Sharpe's question about the next Cowboys' coach. "But I just don't like the way Jerry operates."

Johnson then said that all signs pointed toward McCarthy getting an extension in Dallas, when Jones did not allow the coach to interview for the job vacancy at the Chicago Bears last week:

"There was an opportunity for Mike McCarthy to be able to interview for the Chicago Bears job. Jerry blocked that. He said, 'No', you're telling me I can't go interview for the job.

"I'm thinking you're going to retain me and discuss a long-term contract at some point. What was the point of doing that? Just to show that you are in control?"

The Cowboys hired McCarthy in 2020. He reportedly signed a five-year contract, worth $8 million in annual salary.

During his time with the Cowboys, McCarthy posted a 50-38 overall record (1-3 in playoffs). He won the NFC East title with Dallas in the 2023 season, but could not end the team's drought for a Super Bowl title.

Per reports, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury are the names linked to succeed McCarthy at Dallas.

Moreover, Jerry Jones recently met with Colorado coach Deion Sanders, sparking rumors that Coach Prime might be the man to get the vacant job at the Cowboys. However, Sanders appeared to suggest that he will remain in Boulder. Sanders told ESPN’s Adam Schefter:

“I love Boulder and everything there is about our team, the coaches, our student body and the community."

Former Dallas QB Troy Aikman opens up on coaching candidates for Jerry Jones' Cowboys in 2025

NFL: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones - Source: Imagn

Jerry Jones needs to decide who will be the next Dallas Cowboys coach heading into the 2025 season. While there have been several candidates linked to succeed McCarthy, former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman has offered insights into some of the profiles that could suit Dallas.

Aikman, now an analyst and commentator for ESPN, said that he was surprised that Jones did not extend McCarthy's contract before listing some coaching candidates that could succeed him at Dallas:

"The fact that they haven't had the opportunity to maybe interview a Ben Johnson and some of these others, Aaron Glenn. Kellen Moore being a candidate, that seems logical to me. He's a guy that has familiarity with the building. He worked obviously with the Cowboys, with Jerry Jones and they know each other very well."

Aikman, a three-time Super Bowl winner with the Cowboys, also said that most coaches want to do things their own way, but that is difficult to attain with Jerry Jones as the team owner:

"As far as a coveted job, I don't know that that is accurate. I do think the Cowboys are obviously a high profile team and whoever is the head coach of that team is certainly going to draw a lot of attention, but I think most football people that take over as a head coach, they want to do it on their terms, and that's hard to do."

Jones purchased the Cowboys on Feb. 25, 1989, and team has won three Super Bowls under his ownership.

However, Dallas has not won the Super Bowl since 1996, and some of the Cowboys faithful have been frustrated with Jones' ownership and management over the years.