Mike McCarthy enjoyed solid years with the Dallas Cowboys, but when it came to the postseason, the outcome was always the same as with those who came before him: nothing. By 2026, it will mark 30 years since Jerry Jones’ team has at least reached an NFC Championship Game, an absence that continues to weigh heavily on the franchise.
However, that situation is no longer McCarthy’s concern. In 2025, he parted ways with Dallas, and whatever happens with that organization is no longer his responsibility. For him, circumstances are beginning to shift, as several teams across the league find themselves in need of a new head coach.
With the pieces moving and being rearranged, McCarthy has multiple opportunities to return to the NFL. That is why the New York Giants have emerged as one of the franchises searching for a new leader on the sideline.
The Giants will interview Mike McCarthy
During the week beginning January 12, 2026, the New York Giants have scheduled a meeting with the veteran coach in order to get to know him better and understand his intentions and aspirations for the franchise in the city that never sleeps.
General manager Joe Schoen is looking for a coach who can provide the necessary development for quarterback Jaxson Dart, who completed his rookie season in 2025 and generated high expectations for his second year in New York.
McCarthy knows the NFC East inside and out. During his time in Dallas, he faced the Giants on multiple occasions and understands what that franchise represents, one that has struggled to find its way back to glory since the departure of Eli Manning.
The former Cowboys coach is not the only candidate the Giants are expected to interview. The list also includes Antonio Pierce, along with defensive coordinators like Chris Shula, Jesse Minter, and Vance Joseph.
Another name that could strongly catch the Giants’ attention is John Harbaugh, who was dismissed by the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Additionally, former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski could also be among the candidates under consideration.
What this process also makes clear is that the Giants do not yet have a defined vision of the style they want following Brian Daboll’s departure midway through the 2025 season. Their priority is to listen to all potential candidates before moving into the analysis and decision-making phase.
For now, it appears that much of the focus is on McCarthy, largely because of his extensive knowledge of the division and the Giants themselves, gained from facing them for several years, at least twice each season.
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