“Speculation Grows Around Mike McCarthy’s Future as Cowboys Eye Ben Johnson After Blowout Loss”
The Dallas Cowboys suffered a humiliating 47-9 home loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, October 13. Speculation about head coach Mike McCarthy’s future has been brewing all season, and this 38-point defeat may increase the chances of the team parting ways with him. With McCarthy’s contract status unclear, the Cowboys’ front office might explore hiring a new head coach instead of offering him an extension.
Former Patriots coach Bill Belichick is often mentioned as a potential candidate, but other names are gaining attention as well. One intriguing option is Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who may have caught the eye of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who turned 82 while watching his team get crushed by Detroit.
In an October 17 article for Sport DFW, analyst Sayre Bedinger ranked Johnson as the top candidate to replace McCarthy, noting that the Lions’ offensive success has made Johnson one of the most sought-after coaching prospects. “After passing on job offers the last few years, he may be waiting for the right opportunity—and the Cowboys could be exactly what he’s looking for,” Bedinger explained. He also praised Johnson’s ability to transform Detroit’s offense into a “juggernaut,” noting their exceptional ball distribution and the difficulty defenses face keeping up with them.
Similarly, John Buhler of FanSided expressed surprise that Johnson chose to stay with the Lions this season, suggesting that his next step could be as the Cowboys’ head coach.