The Dallas Cowboys find themselves at a critical crossroads as the future of head coach Mike McCarthy hangs in the balance. His contract is set to expire soon after the conclusion of the regular season, and given the underwhelming performance during the 2024 campaign, it seems increasingly likely that Dallas will consider making a change at the top. While it’s true that a multitude of factors contributed to the disappointing results, McCarthy’s seat has been lukewarm for some time, with three consecutive early playoff exits raising serious questions about his future with the team.

If the Cowboys do decide to part ways with McCarthy, a wide array of candidates is expected to be interviewed. Historically, Dallas has leaned toward experienced head coaches, favoring proven leaders over up-and-coming, untested names. As a result, many believe the Cowboys are likely to target well-established figures like Mike Vrabel, Ron Rivera, and other seasoned coaches.

However, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero recently added an unexpected name to the mix while discussing potential coaching candidates around the league. Although he did not specifically mention the Cowboys, the name he brought up could fit well within the franchise’s preferred mold.

“Keep an eye on Jon Gruden,” Pelissero said, throwing a curveball into the ongoing coaching conversation. “We haven’t seen Gruden on a full-time basis in the NFL since 2021, when he resigned after offensive emails were leaked to the media. However, he has stayed engaged in football, making appearances on the sidelines with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ owners earlier this fall. He even worked with the New Orleans Saints during training camp. From what I understand, if Gruden had wanted the Saints’ offensive coordinator job last year, he could have had it.”

Gruden, a Super Bowl-winning head coach with 15 years of coaching experience, fits the profile of the kind of coach Dallas typically favors. The Cowboys are known for playing it safe when it comes to hiring a new head coach, preferring candidates with a proven track record in a leadership role. This cautious approach is why the team is unlikely to entertain rising stars like Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, despite his success in Detroit.

Additionally, given the Cowboys’ defensive strength with stars like Micah Parsons, it seems unlikely that Dallas would heavily consider candidates focused on defense at this point in time. The team’s success on that side of the ball in recent seasons has likely reinforced their belief in continuing to develop their defensive players under the guidance of their current coaching staff.

“It’s not certain that Jon Gruden will be back in the NFL, but multiple teams are doing their homework on him — his situation, his coaching ability, and his character,” Pelissero added. “I wouldn’t be surprised at all if, in the coming weeks, you see Gruden’s name popping up in head coaching interviews.”

At this stage, it’s still unclear if the Cowboys will even be looking for a new head coach. And if they are, it’s uncertain whether Gruden would be on their radar. However, given his experience and history with the league, it wouldn’t be entirely out of the question for Dallas to bring him back into the fold, especially considering how much they value leadership with a proven track record.

Since stepping down from his head coaching role, Gruden has continued to make a name for himself in the media world. Most recently, he joined the digital media company Barstool Sports, maintaining his presence in the football conversation even if he’s not actively coaching. Whether or not he’ll return to the sidelines in 2025 remains to be seen, but the speculation surrounding his potential future with the Cowboys only adds to the intrigue of an already captivating offseason for the franchise.