Cowboys Consider Mahomes’ Mentor as McCarthy’s Successor
As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for their regular-season finale against the Washington Commanders, speculation swirls about the future head coach. Mike McCarthy’s contract is set to expire after the game, and while the Cowboys have an exclusive negotiating window until January 14, re-signing McCarthy is not guaranteed, especially with Jerry Jones’ unpredictable decision-making.
The list of potential successors is evolving. Bill Belichick is off the table due to his commitment to North Carolina. Deion Sanders plans to remain at Colorado, and Mike Vrabel recently interviewed with the New York Jets. Jerry Jones also dismissed rumors linking former NFL coach Jon Gruden to the position.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano suggested intriguing candidates, including former Cowboys and current Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Another name gaining traction is Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, known for his innovative offensive strategies. A particularly interesting option is Commanders’ offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Born in San Antonio and raised in New Braunfels, Kingsbury has deep Texas roots. He previously coached at Texas A&M and Texas Tech, where he mentored Patrick Mahomes, before a challenging tenure as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.
Following his stint with the Cardinals, Kingsbury took time off in Thailand, joined USC’s staff under Lincoln Riley, and returned to the NFL with Dan Quinn’s staff in Washington. This season, he contributed to the Commanders’ surprising playoff push, reviving Terry McLaurin’s career and aiding quarterback Jayden Daniels’ Rookie-of-the-Year campaign.
Kingsbury has also been linked to the Chicago Bears’ opening, where he could team up with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Reflecting on his potential return to a head coaching role, Kingsbury expressed openness but remained non-committal, emphasizing his current satisfaction with the Commanders.
“Yeah, I’m sure at some point,” Kingsbury said regarding future opportunities. “But I’m very happy here. This has been an awesome place and has really helped rekindle my love for the sport.”
