A former Kansas City Chiefs QB just tossed a bold take into the NFL rumor mill, speculating that Jerry Jones might be eyeing Mike Tomlin to take over as the Dallas Cowboys head coach. Steelers Nation’s long-standing leader could be on the wishlist to replace Mike McCarthy.
Jones, known for his win-big-or-go-home style, might just be cooking up something wild; who knows?
Chase Daniel Sparks Buzz: Jerry Jones Eyeing Mike Tomlin for Cowboys HC?
Chase Daniel just stirred the pot with a crazy theory: “Jerry Jones has been holding out on signing Mike McCarthy because Mike Tomlin to the Cowboys makes all the sense in the world.”
Daniel dropped this bomb on FS1’s “The Facility,” where he suggested that Tomlin might need a fresh start. Comparing Tomlin’s situation in Pittsburgh to Andy Reid’s rejuvenation with the Chiefs and Sean Payton’s return to the Denver Broncos, Daniel said the “message is watered down.”
Jerry Jones has been holding out on signing Mike McCarthy because Mike Tomlin to the Cowboys makes all the sense in the world. https://t.co/2tZNPsiaAF
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) January 13, 2025
“I think Mike Tomlin should move on from the Steelers. I think it’s time. And when you really look at it, you get down to the nuts and bolts of it. You look at Andy Reid, you look at Sean Payton, how they were able to move on and find success. I agree 100% the message is watered down,” he asserted.
Daniel further hinted that Pittsburgh’s phrasing of “not planning” to move on from Tomlin feels … strategic.
He added, “There’s some Steelers insider saying they’re not planning on moving on. … Interesting wording for me: ‘not planning.’ And then you go out, and you look at all head coaches opening, and Mike Tomlin would be the No. 1 candidate on everyone else’s board.”
And then came the kicker: Daniel speculated that Jerry Jones might already be thinking two steps ahead. Could the Cowboys’ lack of urgency with McCarthy’s contract be Jones quietly eyeing Tomlin?
The former Chiefs QB continued, “I said this on social media, and I’m gonna say it now — I would not be surprised or shocked if the reason that Jerry Jones and Mike McCarthy have not been talking about a contract is because Jones may wanna see how this Wild Card Weekend shook out.
“If I’m Jerry Jones and I’m moving on from Mike McCarthy because his contract’s expiring, why not make a run at Mike Tomlin? Why not make a trade for him? I think it will be a fascinating move. Without a doubt, it makes the most sense in the world.”
Strategically, the idea isn’t far-fetched. Tomlin’s got a 16-year streak of avoiding a losing season (the longest active run in the league) and has a Super Bowl win under his belt. For a franchise like the Cowboys, this kind of consistency sounds like gold.
Fans lit up social media with heated reactions.
Fans Sound Off: Tomlin to Cowboys Sparks Heated Reactions
NFL fans didn’t hold back after Daniel’s bold take on Tomlin possibly heading to Dallas.
One fan linked Tomlin’s situation to John Harbaugh’s, saying, “Same can be said for John Harbaugh.” The sentiment: long-tenured coaches might face diminishing returns.
Same can be said for John harbaugh
— SMFH (@Bellstringer42) January 13, 2025
Others pointed to Pittsburgh’s QB struggles, with one noting, “The QB room has also been watered down for the last 13 years.” It’s a subtle jab at the team’s inability to lock down a consistent franchise QB.
The QB room has also been watered down for the last 13 years.
— Knaledge (@KnaledgeNC) January 13, 2025
But not everyone is sold. Another fan argued, “So Jerry gonna destroy Tomlin career next? Tomlin need to say no.”
Meanwhile, others questioned Daniel’s credibility, with one quipping, “What has [Daniel] accomplished in his career to advocate for someone to be removed from their job…Mike Tomlin career as a coach has been better to watch than [Daniel] ever as a quarterback.”
This conversation isn’t cooling off anytime soon.