The Dallas Cowboys were recently taken to task over owner Jerry Jones' handling of the head coaching situation.

For most of the season, it was assumed that the Cowboys would be looking for a new coach. Late in the year, owner and G.M. Jerry Jones seemed to be warming up to the idea of keeping Mike McCarthy around.

Editor's note: This story was published early Monday. Later, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Mike McCarthy is not expected to return to Dallas and is now set to become a free agent, per source. The two sides engaged in no discussions about a new deal, and McCarthy is expected to be a candidate in Chicago and New Orleans.