Who will be Dallas Cowboys' head coach in 2025? Exploring options Jerry Jones can pursue

The Dallas Cowboys are moving on from coach Mike McCarthy. After hiring McCarthy in 2020 and following three postseason appearances, owner Jerry Jones and the team will have a new coach in 2025.

According to ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter and other reports, McCarthy and the team never had any discussions for him to continue as the team's coach. With his contract set to expire after midnight on Tuesday, McCarthy will be free to speak with teams.

Schefter noted that the Chicago Bears and the New Orleans Saints have interest in McCarthy becoming their next coach. Should the Pittsburgh Steelers move on from Mike Tomlin, McCarthy could potentially consider returning to his roots in Pittsburgh.

In five seasons as Dallas' head coach, McCarthy compiled together a 49-35 record while winning two NFC East titles, bringing the Cowboys to the playoffs three times. He earned one postseason win in his tenure with Dallas.

Three replacements the Dallas Cowboys can target to replace Mike McCarthy

Kliff Kingsbury during Washington Commanders v Dallas Cowboys - Source: Getty

With Mike McCarthy out of Dallas, the Cowboys will now need to figure out who his replacement will be. With the news of the Cowboys moving on from McCarthy coming out earlier on Monday, there isn't much information yet on who they are targeting. Nevertheless, here are three possible replacements for Mike McCarthy:

Kliff Kingsbury

Kliff Kingsbury has helped Washington become one of the best offenses in a year. In his lone season with the Commanders, he's helped build rookie sensation Jayden Daniels and could get offered a second chance to succeed as a coach.

Kingsbury is also from the state of Texas, and maybe Jones could lure him into returning to his home state while taking on a bigger position.

Could returning to Texas and Dallas' well-equipped offense featuring Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb sway him to leave the Washington Commanders after a year?

Kellen Moore

Kellen Moore played for the Dallas Cowboys as a quarterback and has also coached them before.

Moore was a backup quarterback for Dallas from 2015-2017 and was on their coaching staff from 2018-2022, serving as a quarterbacks coach and then offesnive coordinator. He's held the title of offensive coordinator over the last two seasons for the Los Angeles Chargers and the Philadelphia Eagles.

With his offensive success in Philly this year, he could be a target for Jones, who has a ton of familiarity with Moore.

Mike Tomlin

Jerry Jones is known to take a gamble. He would likely have to take one if he were to pursue Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.

Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension before the start of last season until the 2027 season, so he is still under contract with Pittsburgh. However, given his lack of playoff success (0-6 in last six games), the Steelers could look for some change.

Tomlin is a respectable coach, having never suffered a losing season. Jones would likely have to send the Steelers a first or second-round pick at the least for him, but it could be a dark horse move.