With Kliff Kingsbury returning to the Washington Commanders and Mike McCarthy reportedly pulling his name out of contention for the New Orleans

Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy removed his name from consideration and will be focusing on the 2026 head coaching cycle, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. McCarthy should be a strong candidate for a head coaching job next year,

Mike McCarthy will remain a free agent through the 2025 season.

Kellen Moore missed out on landing the Cowboys job but could be the front-runner for the New Orleans Saints after the Eagles dismantled the Commanders on Sunday afternoon, and Mike McCarthy decided to focus on 2026.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the former Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers headman removed himself from the New Orleans Saints head coaching race last night. McCarthy’s intentions will now be on the 2026 head coaching cycle.

Mike McCarthy has pulled himself out of the Saints head coach search. NFL Network reports he’s taking the year off and will look for work in 2026:

Kellen Moore helped the Philadelphia Eagles over the Washington Commanders as they racked up 459 yards of offense in a record-setting 55-23 victory. ... while Dallas Cowboys fans could only sit and watch.

Mike McCarthy has decided against coaching in 2025, removing himself as a candidate to fill the NFL’s last remaining head coaching vacancy with the New Orleans Saints.

According of Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, the Saints have "no plans to interview anyone else," for the opening and are down to candidates: New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Underhill also shared that Moore is the leader in the clubhouse:

I’m not giving up my fight. You’re gonna ride by here again in another year or two if this thing don’t work out again, and my song will still be singing like a young Diana Ross: Deion! All the way.'' - Michael Irvin on the Cowboys not hiring coach Sanders.

The Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator is reportedly the leader in the clubhouse to become the next head coach of the New Orleans Saints, but that doesn't make it the right move.