NFL great Troy Aikman slams Cowboys over Mike McCarthy departure

Keyshawn Johnson, Michael Irvin, and Paul Pierce debate who should be the next Dallas Cowboys head coach after Mike McCarthy’s departure.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Aikman had some harsh words for the Dallas Cowboys after the team parted ways with head coach Mike McCarthy on Monday.

McCarthy and the Cowboys split after the two sides failed to come to an agreement on contract length, according to multiple reports. McCarthy’s deal was set to expire on Tuesday, and the Cowboys will have gotten into the head-coaching carousel a little later than expected.

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Troy Aikman looks on prior to a game between the New Orleans Saints and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Oct. 7, 2024. (Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images)

Aikman broke down the move on Monday night.

"I thought Mike McCarthy would be the head coach, so this is a bit of a surprise for me today that he’s not going to be … It suggests that there's not a real plan," he said before calling the playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings.

"I do think the Cowboys are obviously a high-profile team. Whoever is the head coach of that team is certainly going to draw a lot of attention, but I think most football people that take over as a head coach they want to do it on their terms and that’s hard to do.

"I love the Dallas Cowboys. I played there for 12 years. I wish them well. To say that it’s a coveted job, I’m not sure I would necessarily agree with that."

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy looks on during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)