Ex-Cowboys WR makes feelings known on HC Mike McCarthy amid rumors of Deion Sanders chase

Another year, another round of speculation over Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy's future at The Star. "America's Team" failed to make the playoffs this year after suffering a laundry list of injuries, starting with Dak Prescott and ultimately ending with cornerback Trevon Diggs.

The Cowboys struggled to build momentum all year and will enter Week 17 with a 7-8 record. They also played themselves out of a higher draft pick by beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football.

While that will point to their competitive spirit, owner/general manager Jerry Jones shared what appeared to be a few warm words with McCarthy after that game, igniting speculation that he would be back in 2025.

Three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson also believes that Dallas should bring McCarthy back in 2025, with one caveat. On FS1's "Speak," Johnson said:

“All I’m saying is the man did go 49-33. He’s 1-3 in the postseason which is not great. He has won two division titles. But there are coaches around the league who get an opportunity to make some mistakes and rebuild the thing back up to where it needs to be.

"Saquon Barkley’s running wild in Philadelphia. He could have been a Dallas Cowboy. Derrick Henry, we’re seeing what he’s doing with the Ravens. He should have been a Cowboy. Those mistakes were made by whoever, it could have been a combination of Mike and Jerry, the front office. You got to be serious when you’re thinking of this.

"If you’re not getting Deion Sanders, who are you getting?"

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Who could Cowboys turn to as Mike McCarthy's replacement in 2025?

Johnson might have a point when it comes to the Cowboys' options to replace Mike McCarthy. So far, Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders has not indicated, in any manner, that he would be open to coaching in the NFL despite the likelihood that his son Shedeur Sanders will be the first quarterback off the board in April.

Cowboys legend Jimmy Johnson also doesn't believe Sanders will leave Colorado for Jerry Jones.

"Don't get me wrong, I love Deion, I love Prime. But his strength is bringing in talent. He's got an outstanding coaching staff. That's one reason why they've got where they are. But I don't see it happening there in Dallas," Johnson said on FS1's 'The Facility.'

That leaves the Cowboys with few options to replace McCarthy, especially since Bill Belichick signed with the University of North Carolina. Mike Vrabel could potentially be one name to monitor, though he also appears to be linked to the New York Jets.