The Dallas Cowboys’ decision on head coach Mike McCarthy may be accelerating after what the Chicago Bears did.
The Bears reportedly asked the Cowboys for permission to interview McCarthy for their head coaching vacancy, and ESPN reported that Jerry Jones has yet to respond.
The Bears don’t need the Cowboys’ permission, however, as they could interview the veteran NFL head coach after the exclusive negotiating window ends on Jan. 14.
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Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
McCarthy’s contract is set to expire with the Cowboys, but Jones has made it known that he won’t let the Super Bowl-winning coach simply walk into free agency. There is a chance he returns, and players like Dak Prescott have also expressed their opinion of him staying in place.
However, the speed with which Jones and the Cowboys make their decision could accelerate now that the Bears, and possibly other teams, hope to interview McCarthy for their own head coaching jobs.
McCarthy just finished his fifth season in Dallas, and after going 12-5 in each of the last three seasons, the Cowboys finished 7-10 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020, his first year as coach. in chief.
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There were questions about McCarthy’s future with the organization before the 2024 regular season began, as players like Prescott and CeeDee Lamb received extensions, but the head coach’s future remained in limbo as he did not put pen to paper on the paper.
Things weren’t looking good for McCarthy either, as the Cowboys were stagnant to start the year and then slumped once Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in early November.
However, it became clear toward the end of the year, as backup quarterback Cooper Rush became more comfortable in the starting role, that the Cowboys weren’t going to mail him in, simply waiting out the season.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones watches before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Nov. 3, 2024 in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Dallas won four of its five games after snapping a four-game skid in early November, and despite a loss against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17, Dallas played tough to the end in Week 18, although the Washington Commanders managed a winning touchdown. with three seconds left to give them their tenth loss of the season.
NFL Network reported that Jones and McCarthy were expected to meet Monday afternoon, although there was no mention of a contract offer. The report added that McCarthy wants to stay in Dallas if they accept him.
“I don’t know if I’m considering making a change, that’s really what I’m trying to say,” Jones told reporters about his coaching situation.
Meanwhile, the Bears will be searching high and low for the right man to take over a team with a lot of potential, but couldn’t keep the ball rolling after starting the year 4-2. A Week 18 win over the Green Bay Packers snapped a 10-game losing streak to end the year on a high note, but Caleb Williams and company need to improve if they want to compete in a loaded NFC North division.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy walks on the sideline during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium. (Images by Tim Heitman-Imagn)
The Bears have already requested permission to interview several top candidates, including Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn, New York Giants OC Mike Kafka and Steelers OC Arthur Smith, among others.
