After declining a request from the Chicago Bears to interview Mike McCarthy for their head coaching vacancy, the general consensus is that the Dallas Cowboys plan to retain his services.

However, the team made the shocking announcement on Monday that they were parting ways with their coach. Owner Jerry Jones released a statement via the Cowboys’ social media accounts, thanking McCarthy for his five years leading the team and explaining why he let the head coach go. It reads:

“Over the past week, Mike and I have had the opportunity to review various aspects of the past season together, along with our players and staff, and have also spent considerable time discussing the team’s path forward. Those discussions have been thorough, “However, before entering into contract negotiations, it was clear to both of us that it would be best to move in different directions. “

Mike McCarthy Landing Spot: Veteran HC will be one of the most coveted candidates

Mike McCarthy leaving the Cowboys is an unexpected development in the NFL head coaching carousel. At the end of the regular season, six teams are looking for new coaches. Over the weekend, that number dropped to five after the New England Patriots hired one of their most coveted prospects, Mike Vrabel.

However, the addition of McCarthy will roil the market. The Bears are already interested in hiring the now-former Cowboys coach and will interview and potentially hire him if they fail to find Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, one of several teams looking for a new coach The team’s wish list.

However, the Bears will have to act quickly as the New Orleans Saints are also keen on hiring McCarthy as their new coach. While he’ll have little trouble finding a new job after leaving the Cowboys, it remains to be seen whether he fills a void or takes a break and waits for a better one a year from now.