Mike McCarthy’s contract with the Dallas Cowboys ran out, and his time with the team has run its course.

McCarthy, whose contract expired after the 2024 season, won’t return as Dallas’ coach next season. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the two sides were unable to come to terms on the length of contract, and decided to part ways. The Cowboys denied the Chicago Bears’ request to interview McCarthy for their open head coaching position last week, when negotiations on a contract extension were presumably ongoing. If McCarthy is still interested in the job he’s now free to interview, assuming the Bears are also still interested.

The Cowboys finished 7-10 with several blowout losses, including a 41-7 defeat against the rival Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17 as Saquon Barkley surpassed 2,000 yards rushing for the season. McCarthy helped turn things around midway through the season, winning four of five games after falling to 3-7. But after two losses to end the season, it was time for a change.

The Cowboys came into the season with high hopes but struggled almost immediately. A season-ending injury to Dak Prescott wasn’t the reason Dallas’ season went sideways — the Cowboys’ offense struggled with Prescott this season — but apart from a late-season spike when the team averaged 27.4 points over a five-game stretch, Dallas was mainly a mess without its quarterback.

McCarthy helped the Cowboys win 12 games in each of the past three seasons, but couldn’t get the team to the NFC championship game. Dallas hasn’t reached that point of the playoffs since the 1995 season. Jones stayed the course with McCarthy through the playoff losses, even as there were many calls for Dallas to go in a different direction. Jones remained patient with McCarthy, but the 2024 season went south quickly.

The Cowboys job isn’t an easy one, with a few stars taking up most of the salary-cap space. Prescott is turning 32 next season and coming off a season-ending injury and there are constant distractions that come along with being Dallas’ coach. But there is a recent track record of regular-season success, and it is one of the highest-profile jobs in sports.

It will be interesting to see what type of candidate Jones focuses on in his search. Whoever accepts the job better be ready for the pressure that comes along with it.