In a bold proposal aired on Fox NFL Sunday, former Dallas Cowboys head coach and Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson suggested an unprecedented move to rejuvenate two of the NFL’s storied franchises: a head coach swap between the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Johnson’s idea involves sending Cowboys’ head coach Mike McCarthy to Pittsburgh and bringing Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin to Dallas.
“Things are stale in Pittsburgh. Things are stale in Dallas,” Johnson remarked during the broadcast. “How about a coaching swap? Mike McCarthy is a Pittsburgh guy. Let him go to Pittsburgh. Let Mike Tomlin go to Dallas. Both franchises would be excited.”
This suggestion comes on the heels of disappointing seasons for both teams. The Cowboys concluded the 2024 season with a 7-10 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Meanwhile, the Steelers finished with a 10-7 record but suffered a loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round, marking their sixth consecutive playoff defeat.
Mike McCarthy, a native of Pittsburgh, has been at the helm of the Cowboys since 2020, leading the team to two NFC East titles during his tenure. His contract with Dallas is set to expire, and reports indicate that the Cowboys are expected to enter negotiations for an extension.
On the other hand, Mike Tomlin has been the Steelers’ head coach since 2007, boasting a regular-season record of 183-107-2 and a playoff record of 8-11, including a Super Bowl victory in 2009. Despite his impressive track record, the Steelers have not secured a playoff win since 2016, leading to growing frustration among fans. Nevertheless, the organization plans to retain Tomlin, who signed a contract extension before the season that extends through 2027.
The concept of trading head coaches is virtually unheard of in the NFL, with no precedent for a direct coach-for-coach exchange. While there have been instances of coaches being traded for draft picks or other compensation, a swap of this nature would be unprecedented.
Fan reactions to Johnson’s proposal have been mixed. Some view it as an innovative solution to the stagnation both teams are experiencing, while others are skeptical of its feasibility and potential benefits. One fan commented, “Such a lateral move that makes absolutely zero sense for either organization,” while another noted, “Steelers will regret the day they let Tomlin walk.”
Despite the intrigue generated by Johnson’s suggestion, it remains highly unlikely that such a swap will occur. Both franchises appear poised to retain their current head coaches, focusing instead on addressing other areas of concern to break free from their recent patterns of underachievement.
