How Cowboys Release of Mike McCarthy Could Impact Jets & Giants
Mike McCarthy is back on the free agent market as a head coach. The former Super Bowl winning coach of the Green Bay Packers was not retained by the Dallas Cowboys and owner Jerry Jones for a sixth season, meaning both McCarthy and the Cowboys are going to drastically shakeup this year’s coaching cycle.
Last week the Cowboys denied a request of the Chicago Bears to interview McCarthy with the hopes of hammering out a deal with the 61-year old coach. However the deadline for the parties to negotiate a new contract came and went Monday afternoon, releasing McCarthy from his Dallas responsibilities.
It is believed that the Bears and New Orleans Saints are going to be heavy pursuers of McCarthy’s services.
HOW THIS AFFECTS THE JETS?
The New York Jets are in the midst of their own head coach and General Manager search. At the moment of writing, Gang Green has conducted a vast search for both positions, with many believing that either Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn or Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores are perceived favorites. There is also a belief that should Flores get the job, Vikings VP of Pro Personnel Ryan Grigson (formally the GM of the Colts) would come along with him.
That said, Glenn, a former Jets cornerback from 1994 to 2001, is seen by many to be the top choice at the moment. However the Jets could have competition for Glenn’s services in the form of the New Orleans Saints.
Glenn not only played the tail end of his career in New Orleans, he coached there for two years in 2014 and 2015.
If the Saints were able to land McCarthy instead as their head coach, that would make Glenn readily available to the Jets, who could get their man.
McCarthy to the Saints is a real possibility. Not only did McCarthy coach there as an assistant from 2000-2004, he knowns their current GM Mickey Loomis, and his agent Don Yee, who also reps former Saints coach Sean Payton, is very familiar with the Saints front office.
That doesn’t make it a slam dunk that McCarthy heads to New Orleans, but it is a piece to the puzzle.
WHAT ABOUT THE COWBOYS & OTHER TEAMS
Well, all of sudden the Dallas Cowboys will (one would imagine) leapfrog to the front of a lot of destinations for candidates. Despite their flaws, and certainly Jerry Jones’ flaws, the Cowboys are a brand unlike any other. Only the New York Yankees, and, maybe the L.A. Lakers can stake claim as one of the recognized brands in sports.
The Cowboys will have their choice of options. All of the candidates who have been discussed in this cycle will be linked. Whether it’s Brian Flores, Bills Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady, Bucs O.C. Liam Coen, and Washington O.C. Kliff Kingsbury to name a few.
There is also rumblings that University of Colorado Head Coach Deion Sanders could come into play here. He tried to lobby for the Raiders job, and was denied. Many believe Sanders wants to coach his son Sheduer who is coming out of college, and is expected to near the top of the draft at quarterback.
Deion Sanders was a big part of the Cowboys teams of the mid to late 90’s; he won a Super Bowl with them in 1995. Let’s be honest, Prime time speaks Jerry Jones’ language. This would surprise nobody if this gets kicked around.
HOW DOES THIS AFFECT THE GIANTS?
Imagine the Cowboys get Deion away from Colorado, and somehow they swing a deal with Cleveland to leapfrog the Giants for Sheduer Sanders? Damn. Talk about kicking that Dallas-Giants rivalry up a notch. That being said, the Giants will see a new sheriff in town when they meet the Cowboys next season. Whether it’s Deion Sanders, Brian Flores or someone else, it will be fascinating to see how the rivalry progresses from here.
Should Mike McCarthy land in either Chicago or New Orleans, Giants fans will see him one way or the other. The Giants are scheduled to face both teams in 2025.
