If you can believe it, the Dallas Cowboys are still hanging Mike McCarthy out to dry. They did, however, finally respond to the Chicago Bears' request to interview McCarthy. They denied the request, which seems to hint the two sides are entrenched in contract talks.
It would behoove Jerry Jones to get a move on. Not only is it unfair to McCarthy given other opportunities are available, but the rest of the coaching staff is also in limbo. That includes defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
Several players, namely Micah Parsons and DeMarvion Overshown, have stated publicly they want Zimmer back. After an inauspicious start, Zimmer had the defense playing inspired football over the final two months all the while navigating an injury crisis.
There's reason to believe that performance would carry over into 2025 with significant improvements to boot as the group is clearly comfortable in Zimmer's scheme.
However, Parsons through cold water on the Zimmer buzz when he said the 68-year-old may want to "ride off into the sunset." That should signal to Dallas to have a contingency plan in place.
Cowboys should call ex-Bengals DC Lou Anarumo in case Mike Zimmer retires
Not only did Parsons bring awareness to Zimmer's future, but NFL Media insider Jane Slater recently noted that Zimmer is doing "some soul-searching, seeing if he wants to come back." It sounds like Zimmer is seriously considering retirement despite a successful return to coaching.
The Cowboys should have now-former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo on speed dial just in case.
The Bengals needed a scapegoat after they missed the playoffs despite an MVP-caliber season from quarterback Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase winning the receiving Triple Crown. They found one in Anarumo.
Firing Anarumo sent shockwaves around the NFL. It drew a fiery reaction from Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who has seen plenty of Anarumo over the years. Anarumo has an esteemed reputation around the league. That only improved as he became known as Patrick Mahomes' kryptonite. Some of Mahomes' worst career performances, including the playoffs, have come against Anarumo.
Despite being fired just a few days ago, Anarumo is already drumming up interest. Dianna Russini of The Athletic understands that "several head coaching candidates hope to land Anarumo on their staff as defensive coordinator."
It seems that Anarumo will land on his feet sooner than later.
There are currently six teams with head coach openings: the Patriots, Bears, Jaguars, Jets, Saints and Raiders. It stands to reason that most of them will allow their new HC to hand pick their defensive coordinator and Anarumo is one of the best candidates available.
This idea is obviously dead on arrival if Zimmer decides to return. It does, though, hammer home the point that Jerry Jones needs to get a move on with McCarthy. The sooner he does, the sooner he can offer Zimmer a new deal. Ipso facto, the sooner Zimmer can inform the team on his future.
If Zimmer does ride off into the sunset, the Cowboys would be hard-pressed to hire someone better than Anarumo to replace him.
