New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis is really twisting the knife in Mike McCarthy’s backside.
McCarthy interviewed for the open head coaching position. However, the Saints left the meeting unimpressed with the Super Bowl-winning head coach. Loomis wanted to have a say in the coaching staff. McCarthy wanted to choose his own staff.
Mike McCarthy wants to focus on 2025
Per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, McCarthy is stepping out away from the 2025 job market, choosing to end his candidacy for the Saints.
“Former Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy has decided to focus on the 2026 hiring cycle and will not coach in the NFL this season, sources tell me and Ian Rapoport,” Pelissero posted on X. “McCarthy, who has made the playoffs 12 times in 18 seasons, is expected to be a strong candidate a year from now.”
Former #Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy has decided to focus on the 2026 hiring cycle and will not coach in the NFL this season, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
McCarthy, who has made the playoffs 12 times in 18 seasons, is expected to be a strong candidate a year from now. pic.twitter.com/Vr8mMijIkq
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 29, 2025
Funny enough, Loomis is setting his sights on a coach who had a falling out with McCarthy after the 2022 season.
The New Orleans Saints are looking at Kellen Moore
Per Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, McCarthy backed out of the running for the Saints after it became clear Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is the frontrunner for New Orleans.
“Sources: Mike McCarthy did not garner the interest from the Saints hat he anticipated — and it’s starting to seem like Eagles OC Kellen Moore is the leader in the clubhouse in New Orleans” Schultz posted on X. “McCarthy backs out before being shutout.”
Sources: Mike McCarthy did not garner the interest from the #Saints that he anticipated — and it’s starting to seem like #Eagles OC Kellen Moore is the leader in the clubhouse in New Orleans.
McCarthy backs out before being shutout. pic.twitter.com/Noc1OHGeNn
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 29, 2025
Following the 2022 season, Moore and McCarthy parted ways. McCarthy took over the playcalling and installed Brian Schottenheimer as his puppet offensive coordinator.
(There were rumors in Dallas that McCarthy was worried Moore was looking over his shoulder at the Cowboys head coaching job…and now Schottenheiemer is McCarthy’s replacement in Dallas.)
Moore took the Los Angeles Chargers OC job.
McCarthy criticized Moore after 2022
At the time of their parting, McCarthy had an issue with Moore’s playcalling, wanting Dallas to run the ball more.
“I’ve been where Kellen’s been,” McCarthy said, via Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. “Kellen wants to light the scoreboard up, but I want him to run the (expletive) ball so I can rest my defense. I think when you’re a coordinator, you know but you’re in charge of the offense. Being a head coach and being a play caller, you’re a little more in tune with (everything). I don’t desire to be the No. 1 offense in the league.
“I want to be the No. 1 team in the league with the number of wins and a championship. And if we’ve got to give up some production and take care of the ball a little better to get that, then that’s what we’ll do because we have a really good defense.”
Now McCarthy’s been replaced by his puppet OC in Dallas and another former OC is in a good position to land the head coaching job he coveted from Loomis. Moore grabbed Loomis’ attention in the same season the Eagles had the second-best rushing offense in the league, trailing only the Baltimore Ravens by 141 yards.
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