Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is reentering the NFL coaching conversation as teams across the league make changes on Black Monday. A recent endorsement from ESPN’s Pat McAfee has only added fuel to the idea that McCarthy could soon return to the sidelines.
Pat McAfee Pushes Mike McCarthy Back Into Coaching Conversation
During a Monday segment of The Pat McAfee Show alongside Adam Schefter, McAfee spoke openly about McCarthy’s readiness to coach again and the impression he has made during a year away from the league.
“Mike McCarthy is gonna be a part of these,” McAfee said. “It feels like he feels really rejuvenated after the year of hunting with his dogs, hanging out, and watching ball. I’d be excited to see him get another shot.”
Big Mike McCarthy is really rejuvenated
I would be excited to see him get another shot#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/P9dIVd0OV8
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 5, 2026
McAfee repeatedly emphasized McCarthy’s football intellect and how his perception of the longtime coach has shifted. He described McCarthy as a deep thinker with a genuine love for the game, traits that stood out after extended conversations away from the pressures of weekly preparation. Schefter added that McCarthy is a likable guy, reinforcing that his reputation around the league has remained strong despite time away from the sidelines.
That endorsement arrives as multiple franchises weigh their next steps, and experience has suddenly become a premium in a volatile coaching market.
Why Mike McCarthy Could Become an NFL Head Coach for Third Time
McCarthy owns one of the most extensive track records of any available candidate. He carries a 174–112 record as an NFL head coach, with 12 playoff appearances and a Super Bowl victory with the Green Bay Packers during the 2010 season. He has won with multiple quarterbacks and coached for two marquee franchises, establishing credibility as both a program builder and a stabilizing presence.
Teams such as the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders are either actively searching for a head coach. For organizations balancing young rosters with pressure to improve quickly, McCarthy offers a proven baseline rather than a developmental gamble.
McCarthy has also drawn attention for his recent quarterback evaluations. During a prior appearance on McAfee’s show, he praised Giants rookie Jaxson Dart, highlighting traits that translate at the professional level.
“What he does naturally you can’t teach,” McCarthy said. “The fact they run him on so many designed quarterback runs tells you what the coaching staff thinks of him.”
As coaching changes continue to unfold, McCarthy’s name is firmly back in the mix, and his return to the NFL sidelines feels increasingly realistic.
