The Dallas Cowboys did the unthinkable. Not only did they lose to the Packers, the youngest team in the NFL, but they were beaten into submission in front of their home fans. They trailed by as much as 27-0 in the first half and 41-16 late in the third quarter.
Jerry Jones didn't state whether he'd relieve Mike McCarthy of is duties as head coach, but we're hard-pressed to think he doesn't make a change. This is a world-class hiring cycle in terms of available coaches, including six-time Super Bowl champ and the greatest head coach of all-time in Bill Belichick.
Belichick's resume speaks for itself, but there are myriad high-level candidates available. Even though the Jonses are close with Belichick, this offseason shouldn't be Belichick or bust if McCarthy is handed the pink slip.
Let's explore some options who'd actually be better hires than the Patriots legend.
4. Jim Harbaugh, Michigan HC
The Cowboys need to move fast if they want to hire Jim Harbaugh. After leading Michigan to a national championship, Harbaugh is in Los Angeles on Monday to interview with the Chargers for their head coach vacancy.
Harbaugh might not be everyone's cup of tea, but he's won wherever he's coached, whether it be college or the NFL. He made Stanford a powerhouse. Since his departure, they've reverted back to irrelevancy. He also took the 49ers to the Super Bowl with suspect QB play and led Michigan to its first national title since 1997.
Harbaugh has long flirted with a return to the NFL. With the NCAA likely to be surveilling Harbaugh with a watchful eye in light of the school's sign-stealing allegations, and having led the Wolverines to the mountaintop, Harbaugh returning to the pro level feels inevitable.
He's 44-19 with a 5-3 playoff record in four seasons as an NFL head coach. And his offense's thrice finished top 11 in points scored per game with Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick under center. Imagine what he can do with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
3. Mike Macdonald, Ravens DC
Mike Macdonald might be the hottest commodity during this hiring cycle.
With the Ravens on a bye as the AFC's No. 1 seed, Macdonald has already interviewed with the Chargers, Falcons and Panthers. Hiring a defensive-minded head coach might not sit well with Cowboys fans, but Macdonald would be a home run hire.
The Ravens defense doesn't boast superstar talent at all three levels, but Macdonald's managed to get the most out of them. In his first year as defensive coordinator in 2022, Baltimore finished eighth in defensive DVOA despite a rash of injuries.
In 2023, the unit stayed (mostly) healthy and dominated. They led the league in points allowed per game, takeaways and sacks. The Ravens became the first team in NFL history to top every category in a single season. That includes their historic 2000s defense.
The Cowboys and Macdonald would have to nail the offensive coordinator hire, but no fans should turn their nose up at the Ravens defensive guru after Dan Quinn turned in a disasterclass for the ages against the Packers.
2. Mike Vrabel, former Titans HC
There's nothing Jerry Jones loves more than a headline-grabbing move and hiring Mike Vrabel after his stunning Titans departure would meet the criteria. Simply put, Vrabel has been one of the NFL's best head coaches since Tennessee hired him in 2018.
Vrabel would be a significant upgrade to Mike McCarthy. He owns a 54-45 record as head coach, including three playoff appearances. Like Harbaugh, Vrabel has never had top-tier QB play. He passes the test in terms of game and clock management and he's undoubtedly an elite leader of men.
You know how the Cowboys quit on Sunday and often look overwhelmed at the first sight of adversity? That wouldn't happen with Vrabel, who understands what it takes to win on a big stage, both as a coach and former player who won three Super Bowls with the Patriots.
The Titans had losing seasons in 2022 and 2023, but Vrabel kept them competitive despite being handed a poor roster. They consistently punched above their weight class with Vrabel on the sidelines. In Dallas, Vrabel would have a strong roster and a top talent evaluator in VP of Player Personnel Will McClay.
1. Ben Johnson, Lions HC
Was it a bad weekend for top defenses or what? The Cowboys and Browns units got exposed by Green Bay and Houston, respectively, and neither adjusted. Meanwhile, young offensive minded coaches had great days at the office. That includes Ben Johnson, Matt LaFleur, Bobby Slowik (Texans OC), and Sean McVay, albeit in a losing effort to Johnson's Lions.
The Cowboys would be smart to hire an innovative offensive mind and Johnson might be the cream of the crop in that regard.
Johnson was in his bag Sunday night against the Rams. He used heavy personnel, pre-snap motion to create mismatches and the weak side run game cooked. The Lions were a perfect 3-for-3 in the red zone and averaged 6.1 yards per play. Every time Los Angeles countered with a score, Johnson had an answer.
McCarthy didn't have any answers after the Cowboys fell behind on Sunday. The Fox broadcast captured McCarthy shaking his head as the team trailed 7-0 in the first quarter! At that moment, Dallas was screwed as McCarthy coiled up as a play-caller and forced Dak Prescott to play hero ball on third down.
The Cowboys need a rising star like Johnson to take over the franchise; not an older defensive-oriented guy like Belichick who's lost his fastball.