Mike McCarthy took himself out of the running for the Saints job, but what's next for the former Cowboys head coach?

Weeks after being unable to come to a contract agreement with the Cowboys, Mike McCarthy has decided he will not coach in the NFL in 2025 and will instead focus on the 2026 hiring cycle, per NFL Network.

After a tumultuous run with the Dallas Cowboys, Mike McCarthy has reportedly made a decisive move regarding his future in the NFL. The Saints have the only vacancy left. Mike McCarthy couldn’t achieve his big goal of winning the Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys have moved on from Mike McCarthy and now the veteran head coach has made a decision on his future.

There's just one open head coach position in the NFL, and Mike McCarthy will not be the candidate filling it as he instead focuses on next year.

"Former Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy has decided to focus on the 2026 hiring cycle and will not coach in the NFL this season, sources tell me and @RapSheet," Pelissero wrote on X. "McCarthy, who has made the playoffs 12 times in 18 seasons, is expected to be a strong candidate a year from now."

After careful consideration, Mike McCarthy has made a decision on his future. The former Dallas Cowboys ' head coach has decided to forego coaching in the NFL next season, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. MORE: Cowboys' VP Will McClay emphasizes organizational alignment with Brian Schottenheimer

The New Orleans Saints are the final remaining team to have a head coaching vacancy, and they know at least one name that won't be on their sideline in 2025. 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.

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Mike McCarthy appears to be ready for a year off. After parting ways with the Dallas Cowboys earlier this month, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday that McCarthy has decided to focus on the 2026 hiring cycle and will not coach in 2025.