Even Sean Payton isn’t buying Mike McCarthy’s hot seat rumors with Cowboys

Earlier this week, Jerry Jones put an instant and emphatic no on whether or not Mike McCarthy would be facing a hot seat this offsason, in particular if the Dallas Cowboys lose to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night in the Wild Card round.

But, of course, it’s hard not to wonder… If they did lose that game, would the reality of it change Jerry Jones’ tone at all?

Apparently, in circles around the NFL, folks do not think the Cowboys coveted head coaching role will be available this offseason. Ian Rapoport suggested on Sunday morning that one key person isn’t even thinking of the opportunity of coaching the Cowboys seriously: Sean Payton.

Sean Payton doesn’t think the Cowboys will really have a head coaching opportunity this offseason

“My understanding, guys, is even Sean Payton doesn’t consider this to be a potential opening,” Rapoport said on NFL GameDay on Sunday morning.

Payton has repeatedly been thought to be a possible candidate for Jones and the Cowboys if the team were to look to hire a new head coach. He worked with the team as an assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach under Bill Parcells before becoming the head coach of the Saints.

Payton’s children residing in the Dallas area has frequently been used as a “reason why” he would want to return to Dallas. But Payton seems to now be enjoying his home in Manhattan beach near the Chargers. That could be the more likely next head coaching gig for him based on recent rumors.