The Dallas Cowboys parted ways with head coach Mike McCarthy in early Jan. 2025 after a tumultuous 7-10 season. After a week of speculation, the veteran coach is reportedly gaining momentum as a potential candidate elsewhere in the NFC.
Among the teams in the mix for his services, the New Orleans Saints stand out, given McCarthy’s history and the franchise’s current need for stability.
Devin McCourty Believes Saints Would Be Lucky To Land Mike McCarthy
The Saints have scheduled an in-person interview with McCarthy. If the 61-year-old Pittsburgh native does land in New Orleans, it would be a homecoming for the coach who served as their offensive coordinator from 2000-04.
The Saints, now four years removed from their last playoff appearance, are grappling with quarterback decisions and salary cap concerns, which makes McCarthy’s proven track record appealing.
Devin McCourty, a former New England Patriots defensive back, weighed in on McCarthy’s potential fit in New Orleans, highlighting how the Saints’ environment could mirror the low-pressure coaching atmosphere that the former Cowboys coach enjoyed in Green Bay.
“When you put his résumé up there with Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh, it’s all very similar. I think for the Saints if you’re trying to transition and move into the future and you try to figure out who’s going to be your quarterback, deal with your cap situation, having a veteran head coach in there, somebody who’s done it before just makes a lot of sense,” McCourty said.
“I think it’ll be good for Mike McCarthy to not have to deal with the spotlight of the Cowboys, and he’s able to just go back to just focus on coaching ball. Like, when you’re in Green Bay, you get to just coach ball. Everybody wants to see you be successful. I think that could happen a little bit in New Orleans for him,” McCourt added.
In Dallas, McCarthy’s tenure included three 12-win seasons, but playoff inconsistency and defensive shortcomings, including a league-worst red-zone efficiency in 2024, ultimately sealed his fate.
Penalties and turnovers became persistent issues, starkly contrasting the disciplined play expected from a marquee franchise. Still, McCarthy’s teams excelled in close games, ranking fifth in one-score win percentage since 2020.
The Saints will be overhauling their roster in the offseason, particularly at quarterback. Veteran Derek Carr (83.3 QB+ score in 2024, 11th in the NFL) and rookie Spencer Rattler (50.0, 38th) are currently their top options. Adding McCarthy, who boasts a Super Bowl title and a reputation for maximizing offensive potential, could help stabilize the team during this transition period.
While nothing is set in stone, McCarthy’s familiarity with New Orleans and ability to adapt to challenging circumstances make him a strong candidate for the job.
