Report: Mike McCarthy, Mike Zimmer will not attend NFL combine
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and newly-hired defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer will not attend the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis next week, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. McCarthy claimed they will instead continue to work on the upcoming season from Dallas.
“Zim and I will have a full week together here and cover a lot of ground with things we’re working on,” McCarthy said. “At the same time, we can still participate in the combine process and have direct contact through video calls and meetings, while having our coaches on the ground there as well.”
This isn’t the first time Mike McCarthy has opted to not attend the combine in-person. Last year, the 60-year-old head coach did not go so he could focus on developing his offensive scheme in his first year as the team’s play-caller.
The Dallas Cowboys have the No. 24 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Per NFL.com, the team’s biggest needs are at offensive tackle, center, running back, cornerback and linebacker.
“Tony Pollard, Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz are headed for free agency, and all three levels of the team’s defense need depth to be one of the top units in the league in 2024,” Chad Reuter wrote.
More on Dallas Cowboys offseason concerns
Dallas has a lengthy list of upcoming free agents to consider re-signing, as well as multiple stars who are looking for contract extensions. The list of the Cowboys’ high-profile free agents includes Tyron Smith, Tony Pollard, Stephon Gilmore, Tyler Biadasz, Dorance Armstrong Jr., Jayron Kearse, Jourdan Lewis, Johnathan Hankins, Neville Gallimore, and Dante Fowler.
Check out all the Cowboys’ offseason and free agency moves for the 2024 NFL season.
Unsigned Upcoming Free Agents
CB Stephon Gilmore
OT Tyron Smith
RB Tony Pollard
C Tyler Biadasz
S Jayron Kearse
DT Johnathan Hankins
OT Chuma Edoga
TE Sean McKeon
CB Jourdan Lewis
LS Trent Sieg
DT Neville Gallimore
DE Dante Fowler Jr.
CB Noah Igbinoghene
DE Dorance Armstrong Jr.
CB C.J. Goodwin
RB Rico Dowdle
Potential Cowboys Contract Restructures/Extensions
QB Dak Prescott
RG Zack Martin
WR CeeDee Lamb
OLB Micah Parsons
Coaching Staff Changes
Departures
Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn – Commanders head coach
Secondary coach/passing game coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. – Commanders defensive coordinator
Defensive line coach Aden Durde – Seahawks defensive coordinator
Asst. Defensive line coach Sharrif Floyd – Commanders asst. defensive line
Offensive assistant Will Harriger – Panthers QB coach
Additions
Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer
Defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina
Asst. defensive line coach Greg Ellis
Run game coordinator Paul Guenther
Defensive quality control Cristian Garcia
Offensive assistant Steve Shimko
On3‘s Nikki Chavanelle also contributed to this article.