Blogging The Boys
Mike McCarthy could be on his way back to the NFC East. The former Cowboys head coach is reportedly among those being interviewed for the New York Giants’ vacancy in 2026.
After a five-year run in Dallas from 2020-2024, McCarthy was not brought back following a disappointing 7-10 season. While his Cowboys went 12-5 the three years before that, repeated failures to advance in the playoffs, or even look competitive at times, had him on thin ice going into 2024. After not getting a new contract from the Cowboys, McCarthy was not employed by any other team last year.
Of course, McCarthy’s real claim to fame is from his time with Green Bay from 2006-2018. In 12 full seasons, McCarthy’s Packers won six division titles, had nine playoff appearances, and won the 2010 Super Bowl. It was those accolades that brought him to the Cowboys after the firing of Jason Garrett, with the hope that McCarthy would be the missing ingredient to get the team over the hump.
It’s not that surprising that the Giants would have interest. After their long run with Tom Coughlin ended in 2015, they’ve gone through five different head coaches with a mix of experience levels. But even of the ones who’d been held that job before like Pat Shurmur and Steve Spagnuolo, none ever had the résumé of a guy like McCarthy.
What’s more, during his time in Dallas, McCarthy went 9-1 against the Giants. The one loss came in the 2020 finale, with Dak Prescott on IR and the six-win Cowboys still somehow in contention in what was a putrid NFC East that year. New York’s victory denied Dallas another division win and a playoff berth. But outside of that, McCarthy’s Cowboys dominated the Giants throughout his tenure.
With former Ravens HC John Harbaugh also reported to be a target for New York, Mike McCarthy may not be first on their list. But if they can’t land the new big fish of this coaching talent pool, the Giants may see McCarthy as the next-best option to bring some stability and credibility to their coaching staff. And if he’s extra motivated to stick it to the Cowboys, that won’t hurt his chances.
