The Dallas Cowboys endured a humiliating 47-9 loss at home on Sunday, October 13, against the Detroit Lions. Throughout the season, there has been speculation about whether this will be Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy’s final year, and after such a 38-point blowout, that possibility seems even more likely.
McCarthy’s contract situation remains unclear, leaving the door open for the Cowboys’ front office to potentially move in a new direction without renewing his deal.
One name that constantly comes up in discussions about McCarthy’s potential replacement is former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick. However, other candidates are also emerging as possible successors.
Detroit Lions’ Ben Johnson Could Be on Jerry Jones’ Radar
While Cowboys owner Jerry Jones celebrated his 82nd birthday by watching his team get dominated by the Lions, Detroit’s offensive coordinator Ben Johnson may have caught his attention.
In an October 17 piece for Sport DFW, NFL analyst Sayre Bedinger identified Johnson as the top candidate to replace McCarthy.
“Given the way the Detroit Lions have been performing offensively in recent years, I’d expect Ben Johnson to be one of the most sought-after head coaching candidates until he finally takes a job,” Bedinger noted. “After turning down offers the last couple of years, waiting for the perfect situation, you have to think the Cowboys job would be the opportunity he’s been waiting for.”
Bedinger praised Johnson for turning Detroit’s offense into a “juggernaut.”
“They distribute the ball better than most teams in the league, and very few defenses have been able to keep up with them,” Bedinger added.
John Buhler of FanSided also mentioned Johnson as a potential McCarthy replacement.
“I was stunned that Ben Johnson returned to the Detroit Lions for another season as their offensive coordinator,” Buhler wrote in a September 23 article.
Buhler continued, “What I admire about Johnson is his knack for putting his players in positions to make plays. He also develops the talent that general manager Brad Holmes brings in, along with the rest of the Lions coaching staff. Theoretically, Johnson would fit right in at the Cowboys organization, as he would work well with Stephen Jones and Will McClay and wouldn’t challenge Jerry Jones much either.”
Maitland Rutledge from The Laundry Hat also listed Johnson as a candidate to replace McCarthy.
“If Johnson were to join the Cowboys, the offensive struggles could vanish as quickly as they appeared this season,” Rutledge commented in an October 14 article. “Give him Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and a new starting running back, and Dallas could light up the scoreboard.”
More Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Candidates
In addition to Johnson, Bedinger highlighted Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik as another potential option.
“After the work Bobby Slowik has done with the Houston Texans over the last few seasons, it won’t be a shock when he’s getting interviewed during the 2025 offseason by nearly every team with a head coaching vacancy,” Bedinger wrote.
Outside the NFL, Rutledge suggested USC head coach Lincoln Riley as a possibility.
“Hiring a college coach for his first NFL job is risky, but Riley is eager for a chance in the league,” Rutledge noted. “He grew up in Lubbock and went to Texas Tech, so the Cowboys would be an ideal team for him to begin his NFL coaching career.”
