Aikman: 'I'm not sure' Cowboys job is coveted
Hall of Fame quarterback and Monday Night Football commentator Troy Aikman isn't convinced that the Dallas Cowboys' head coaching vacancy is an attractive job.
"I love the Dallas Cowboys. I played there for 12 years," Aikman said Monday, per ESPN. "I wish them well, but to say that it's a coveted job, I'm not sure I necessarily agree with that.
The three-time Super Bowl winner added: "Whoever is head coach of that team is certainly going to draw a lot of attention. But I think most football people that take over as a head coach, they want to do it on their terms."
The Cowboys confirmed Monday that Mike McCarthy will not be returning for a sixth season as head coach. Aikman said he was surprised by the decision and that it suggests "there's not a real plan," as the franchise missed out on earlier opportunities to interview candidates.
The Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, and New York Jets have all started the interviewing process to fill their respective vacancies. The New England Patriots were also in the market for a new head coach before hiring former Tennessee Titans leader Mike Vrabel on Sunday.
The Cowboys recently blocked the Chicago Bears from meeting with McCarthy, but he's now expected to meet with the Bears as early as Wednesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter and Todd Archer report. The Saints are also reportedly interested in the 61-year-old coach.
Dallas finished the 2024 campaign with a 7-10 record. Quarterbacks Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, and Trey Lance all started at least one game, as Prescott sustained a season-ending hamstring injury.
McCarthy accumulated a 49-35 record with the Cowboys and boasts a 174-112-2 overall record as a head coach.