The Chicago Bears have been linked to Mike McCarthy in recent days as a potential top candidate to fill the franchise’s head coaching vacancy, however, Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys had other ideas.
Tuesday, shortly after general manager Ryan Poles and the Bears requested an interview with McCarthy, the Cowboys denied Chicago permission to speak to the 61-year-old former Super Bowl-winning coach.
McCarthy finds himself in a unique position, as his contract with the Cowboys only runs through January 14, which means that Dallas can control his destiny until then.
It remains to be seen whether Jones and the Cowboys have any plans to sign McCarthy to an extension. However, if Dallas plans to let McCarthy walk and test the waters this hiring cycle, there wouldn’t be any reason to deny the Bears — or any other team’s interview request.
The Bears, who also have an interview scheduled with Pete Carroll and other candidates, could always wait out McCarthy’s situation through January 14–or whenever he winds up signing any sort of contract extension for the Cowboys. However, that would be a risky course of action for a franchise that desperately needs to knock this hire out of the park.
Chicago fans’ reaction to the news of the Cowboys denying the Bears’ interview request was mixed on Tuesday evening:
rare to see Dallas stop a team in January
— Nedsfeed (@Nedsfeed) January 8, 2025
How can they deny permission? Players can do anything but coaches can’t?
— RW (@randydu55280024) January 8, 2025
Oh no! We wanted Big Mike back in the North!
— Ivan the Great (@Idesofmarch1321) January 8, 2025
Thank God
– Every Bears fan
— Austin (@marshak23) January 8, 2025
I won't act relieved on the Bears not getting Mike McCarthy until I see who they hire instead.
— Matt Clapp (@DaBearNecess) January 8, 2025
Chicago Bears urged to consider ‘wildcard candidate’
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