With his future unresolved in Dallas, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is drawing interest from the Chicago Bears for their head coaching vacancy.
Mike McCarthy To The Bears?
Chicago Bears have sought permission to interview Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and are awaiting a response from Dallas, sources tell me and @toddarcher.
If the Cowboys don’t allow permission this week, the Bears could interview McCarthy after his exclusive negotiating window… pic.twitter.com/zoS7vHO5mF
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 6, 2025
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Todd Archer, the Bears have sought permission to speak with McCarthy about their head coaching position. The Cowboys have not responded to the Bears’ request.
McCarthy’s contract with the Cowboys expires on Wednesday. However, the organization holds exclusive negotiating rights with McCarthy through Jan. 14, meaning the Cowboys can block the Bears’ request.
After Jan. 14, McCarthy will be a coaching free agent and can speak with any team.
With the Bears’ request and the Jan. 14th date looming, Jerry Jones will likely have to decide on McCarthy’s future with the team sooner rather than later.
Jones hired McCarthy in January 2020 as the head coaching replacement for Jason Garrett. After a 6-10 season, McCarthy led the Cowboys to three consecutive 12-win seasons.
The Cowboys made the postseason three times under McCarthy, with a Divisional Round appearance in 2022 being the farthest the team reached.
After Sunday’s 23-19 loss to the Washington Commanders, the Cowboys finished the 2024 season with a 7-10 record.
Before Dallas, McCarthy was the head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 2006 to 2018. McCarthy went 125-77-2, with a 10-8 postseason record. McCarthy won six division titles and Super Bowl XLV.
McCarthy holds a career record of 19-7 against the Bears.
McCarthy has a history of working with talented quarterbacks, including Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott. The Bears likely want to pair an offensive-minded coach with the former No. 1 pick, Caleb Williams.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones when asked last night about the possibility of another team wanting to talk to Mike McCarthy:
“Then I would say, ‘Go talk.’ I really would. Go talk. I just let (Ezekiel Elliott) do that. That’s not healthy to have somebody around that wants to be… https://t.co/yVUTCAqZJJ
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 6, 2025
Bears Head Coaching Search
Bears requested head coaching interviews with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 6, 2025
The Bears are wasting no time trying to find their replacement for Matt Eberflus.
The Bears requested interviews with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown will also receive a formal interview.