Did Dallas Cowboys owners Jerry and Stephen Jones give a serious thought to hiring Mike Vrabel before he achieved his destiny and became head coach of the New England Patriots?

Editor's note: This story was published early Monday. Later, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Mike McCarthy is not expected to return to Dallas and is now set to become a free agent, per source. The two sides engaged in no discussions about a new deal, and McCarthy is expected to be a candidate in Chicago and New Orleans.