Did Dallas Cowboys owners Jerry and Stephen Jones give a serious thought to hiring Mike Vrabel before he achieved his destiny and became head coach of the New England Patriots?

"We need the right coach for everybody, on the football field and off the football field,” Cowboys great Michael Irvin said.

Mike Vrabel made a triumphant return to New England as head coach of the Patriots on Monday. A former linebacker and Super Bowl champion under Bill Belichick, Vrabel said he felt the move back to Foxborough, Mass., was right "in his soul." Vrabel previously coached the Tennessee Titans and spent last season as a consultant for the Cleveland Browns.

According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, "Sources: Mike McCarthy is out as #Cowboys coach. The sides couldn't agree on length of contract and McCarthy will pursue other opportunities. He leaves Dallas with a winning record and three playoff appearances."

For about 48 hours, maybe longer, the Cowboys allowed the leaked news to hover in the air. A team that makes national headlines for not closing its drapes on game day was about to make 51-year-old Brian Schottenheimer its 10th head coach,

“I love the Dallas Cowboys. I played there for 12 years ... The Patriots also recently hired Mike Vrabel to fill their vacancy. However, Fox insider Jordan Schultz reported Monday that Dallas ...

DALLAS — Mike McCarthy is not expected to return as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, WFAA has confirmed Monday. ESPN insider Adam Schefter first reported that McCarthy and the Cowboys "engaged in no discussions about a new deal" and that McCarthy is now expected to be a candidate for the open coaching positions in New Orleans and Chicago.

Aaron Glenn has filled an NFL coaching vacancy at the New York Jets, joining Ben Johnson at the Chicago Bears and Mike Vrabel at the New England Patriots. The Dallas Cowboys are among four teams still searching.

Multiple reports indicated the Cowboys and McCarthy broke off contract talks on Monday because they couldn't agree on the length of a new deal. McCarthy's contract ended at the end of the season with Dallas holding exclusive negotiating rights until midnight on Jan. 14.

DALLAS — Mike McCarthy is not expected to return as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, WFAA has confirmed Monday. ESPN insider Adam Schefter first reported that McCarthy and the Cowboys "engaged in no discussions about a new deal" and that McCarthy is now expected to be a candidate for the open coaching positions in New Orleans and Chicago.

After teasing bigger names in brighter lights, Jerry Jones ultimately hired low-key assistant Brian Schottenheimer under the cover of night.