The Dallas Cowboys have taken over as the NFL’s laughingstock as Jerry Jones continues to dig his heels in regarding Mike McCarthy’s future.

There are now six NFL head coach openings, while teams like the Giants, Dolphins and Colts all announced the returns of their respective head coaches and general managers. Many teams have started the interview process while others who just recently announced firings have finalized a list of candidates.

READ MORE: Jerry Jones’ plans for Cowboys head coach are slap in the face to Mike McCarthy

To make matters more embarrassing, the Cowboys only just got back to the Chicago Bears, who requested to speak with McCarthy regarding their head coach vacancy. Dallas has denied the Bears’ request, so they seemingly want to keep McCarthy.

Though McCarthy wants to come back, this development gives him some leverage. Hopefully Dallas uses this window of exclusivity to hammer out a deal with McCarthy. Whatever they decide will have a trickle down effect on the rest of the coaching staff, the entirety of which is also on an expiring contract.

While Jones holds all of the staff hostage, NFL Media insider Jane Slater has a good idea of whom might leave if McCarthy returns.

Cowboys OC Brian Schottenheimer could leave if Mike McCarthy is back

Appearing on NFL Network, Slater said it’s very likely McCarthy is back but noted that the staff around him could look very different.

Thanks to Micah Parsons, we already know that defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer might contemplate retirement. However, Slater understands that offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer might want to spread his proverbial wings.

“Mike Zimmer I think is doing some soul-searching, seeing if he wants to come back,” said Slater. “And I think Brian Schottenheimer, who has been sort of, the OC-ish here, but it’s been Mike McCarthy calling plays. I think Brian Schottenheimer wants to call plays somewhere else and I think there’ll be opportunities for him to do that. So who will be the OC here in Dallas? So a lot of questions.”

Schottenheimer has been the offensive coordinator the last two seasons. The hire left a lot to be desired, but it has been McCarthy calling plays – not Schottenheimer – since Kellen Moore was let go after the 2022 season.

Simply put, the Cowboys can do a lot better than Schottenheimer as their OC. While McCarthy has been the play-caller, Dallas needs to hire a more innovative mind.

Schottenheimer has been an OC at every stop in his NFL career (with the Jets, Rams, Seahawks and now Dallas, respectively). He has 14 years of experience in the role and has never had a top-five offense in terms of total points. His offense has ranked outside the top 15 in terms of total yards in 11 of those seasons.

The offense improving in 2025 will fall on McCarthy first and foremost (if he’s back) to improve his play-calling, but Schottenheimer leaving would be a blessing in disguise. The veteran coach did not make the situation any better.