As the Jets continue through their exhaustive list of head coaching candidates, most recently completing an interview with familiar face Rex Ryan, Tiki Barber has a candidate that he wanted to endorse to replace Robert Saleh.
The candidate is a Super Bowl champion who has coached the Cowboys to several double-digit winning seasons in recent years, and could be on the move this offseason.
“It’s become an interesting situation with the Jets because of the impact Woody has or could have…who can handle that type of situation?” Tiki said. “As crazy as it sounds…it’s Mike McCarthy.
“He had a ton of success in Green Bay and won a championship…then he leaves and goes to Dallas, which is an interesting place to work because Jerry Jones is as involved as any owner…it takes a certain kind of head coach to deal with that.”
McCarthy’s Cowboys struggled this season, as injuries to Dak Prescott and others derailed a campaign in which the team was expected to compete. The Cowboys have exclusive negotiating rights with McCarthy, and have reportedly not responded to the Bears requesting permission to interview him, so there is a chance McCarthy stays put. But there is also a chance that Jones wants a change, and if so, nobody would be more prepared to deal with Johnson in New York than McCarthy.
“If Mike McCarthy wants to leave, I think the Jets would be an interesting stopping point for him,” Tiki said. “Mike McCarthy can bring success. We’ve seen it in two stops.
“I think Mike McCarthy has potential because he knows how to deal with an owner that is intrusive. Didn’t Aaron Rodgers have a lot of success with Mike McCarthy? Didn’t they win a championship?”