A less-charitable one, considering Dallas’ breadth of data on McCarthy’s performance and this season effectively being over since October, is this being the latest clumsy attempt at a football telenovela, with the plot twist—surprise, Mike is gone after all!—timed to drop the morning after two of Dallas’ NFC East rivals each won playoff games.

The Dallas Cowboys had to make one of the hardest decisions of Jerry Jones' ownership when they decided not to renew McCarthy's contract before Tuesday's deadline.  This was the right move, regardless of McCarthy's pedigree and success in the NFL-- even in Dallas.

Another team has entered into the new coach sweepstakes as the Dallas Cowboys shockingly decided to part ways with Mike McCarthy. After five seasons, the Cowboys are letting McCarthy walk as the two sides could not come to an agreement on a contract extension.