Dallas Cowboys could very well show interest in surprise head coach candidate thrown into the ring by NFL insider
The Dallas Cowboys have yet to make any decision around the future of head coach Mike McCarthy, whose contract is set to expire shortly after the end of the regular season. Naturally, moving on is a strong possibility for Dallas following an underwhelming 2024 season. Though it's true that there are a lot of factors that […]
The Dallas Cowboys have yet to make any decision around the future of head coach Mike McCarthy, whose contract is set to expire shortly after the end of the regular season.
Naturally, moving on is a strong possibility for Dallas following an underwhelming 2024 season. Though it's true that there are a lot of factors that went into making this an underwhelming year for the Cowboys, it's also true that McCarthy's seat was already warm after three consecutive rough playoff exits.
If the Cowboys do turn the page and look for a new head coach, plenty of names are expected to be interviewed by Dallas. In the past, they've shown a clear preference for experienced head coaches over young coaches on the come up, which has many believing the Cowboys are likely to interview names like Mike Vrabel, Ron Rivera, among others.
But NFL Network's insider Tom Pelissero tossed a "surprise" name into the ring when discussing NFL coaching candidates around the league. While he didn't mention the Cowboys specifically, it's a name that fits the mold of what Dallas could be looking for.
"Keep an eye on Jon Gruden, we have not seen Gruden on full-time basis in the NFL since back in 2021 when he resigned after offensive emails were leaked to the media that he had sent while working as an analyst at ESPN," Pelissero said. "However, he has remained engaged, we saw him in the sidelines with the Bucs' owners earlier this fall, we saw him working with the Saints back in training camp, my understanding is if he had wanted the Saints' offensive coordinator job last year, he could've had it."
Gruden, a Super Bowl-winning head coach with 15 years of head coaching experience, fits into the mold the Cowboys like. Quite frankly, Dallas seems to like to play it safe, which makes them steer clear from candidates who have never held a lead title before. That's why it seems like there's little to no buzz about Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson attracting Dallas.
The Cowboys are also unlikely to shy away from defensive candidates considering the success they've had with Micah Parsons on that side of the ball.
"It's not so say for sure that Jon Gruden will be back but there are multiple teams that will be doing extensive homework on Jon Gruden, his situation, him as a coach, him as a person," Pelissero added. "I will not be surprised at all if in the coming weeks you see Jon Gruden's popping up in interviews for a head coaching job."
It's too early to tell if the Cowboys will even be shopping for a new head coach, let alone to know if they've got interest in Gruden. But he fits the mold and it wouldn't be the craziest of scenarios for Dallas to bring him back into football for the first time since 2021.
Gruden has continued his media career in recent years, most recently joining digital media company Barstool Sports.
