NFL insider reveals expiration date on Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy's contract

It's officially 2025, which means it's also decision time for franchise owner Jerry Jones, his EVP Stephen Jones, and coach Mike McCarthy. The Cowboys are 7-9 heading into a Week 18 matchup with the Washington Commanders and while they will miss the playoffs, that can also be put down to a laundry list of injuries over the season.

The Cowboys will soon have to make a decision on the future of McCarthy and his staff, most of whom are on expiring contracts. While it's already decision time for the franchise, it appears the Cowboys have less time than we thought.

In an eye-opening report, NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero revealed that McCarthy's contract expires exactly two weeks into the new year on Tuesday, January 14.

For what it's worth, Jerry Jones has refused to be drawn into a timeline on when he will make a concrete decision on his head coach's future.

Mike McCarthy NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (Credits: IMAGN)

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What was Mike McCarthy's record with the Dallas Cowboys?

Heading into Week 18, McCarthy has a 49-34 record. He has just one playoff win so far, something that is likely to be a factor in whether he gets an extension or not.

This will also be McCarthy's second losing season in the five years he has been head coach. A 41-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last week ensured the Cowboys will not end up with a winning record in 2024.

There have been several rumors indicating the Cowboys will move on from McCarthy when his contract expires, but the head coach pool may give Jerry Jones some pause.

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is the hottest name in the coaching carousel this year but he has been strongly linked with the job over at the Chicago Bears to get the Caleb Williams train back on track. Mike Vrabel remains an option for most teams, though he has been linked primarily with the New York Jets. That leaves the likes of Lions DC Aaron Glenn, Eagles OC Kellen Moore, former Seahawks HC Pete Carroll, Vikings DC Brian Flores and possibly Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders has been a name thrown into the mix time and again, though there has been no indication he wants to leave the world of college football just yet.

On the other hand, Mike McCarthy has now been linked with the job at Chicago, should he part ways with Dallas.