Mike McCarthy has decided against coaching in 2025, removing himself as a candidate to fill the NFL’s last remaining head coaching vacancy with the New Orleans Saints.

A person familiar with McCarthy’s decision disclosed it to The Associated Press on Tuesday night on condition of anonymity because McCarthy and the Saints have not discussed it publicly.

McCarthy is the third high-profile candidate to pull out of the Saints’ search, joining Buffalo offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

New Orleans’ remaining candidates include Philadelphia offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi, Miami defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, all of whom have conducted in-person interviews.

If the Saints plan to hire Moore, they would have to wait until after the Eagles play the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 9.

McCarthy, 61, spent the past five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and won a Super Bowl during his 12 seasons with the Green Bay Packers.

KINGSBURY STAYs PUT

Kliff Kingsbury is expected to return for a second season as the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator, a move that was anticipated for some time given his comfort level on Dan Quinn’s staff coaching dynamic young quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Multiple outlets had reported that Kingsbury attracted interest from the New Orleans Saints for their head-coaching vacancy but that he told them and other NFL teams he would remain with Washington.

Kingsbury is still getting paid, reportedly $7.5 million annually, by the Arizona Cardinals through 2027.

StAFFING NEWS

The Detroit Lions have agreed to hire Denver Broncos assistant John Morton as offensive coordinator and promote Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The person spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the agreements had not been announced.

Detroit had both coordinators depart to become head coaches. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was hired by the Chicago Bears and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn left to lead the New York Jets.

The Baltimore Ravens hired former Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano to join their defensive staff. Pagano coached the Colts from 2012-17. He then spent a couple seasons with the Chicago Bears before retiring as their defensive coordinator after the 2020 season. Pagano was the secondary coach and defensive coordinator in Baltimore before becoming coach of the Colts.