Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer
FRISCO, Texas — Jerry Jones’ deadline on whether to keep Mike McCarthy as Dallas Cowboys coach could be influenced by the Chicago Bears.
The Bears have requested permission to speak with McCarthy regarding their head coaching vacancy, according to multiple sources. Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Cowboys have not yet responded to the request.
McCarthy’s contract expires Wednesday, but the Cowboys have exclusive negotiating rights until Jan. 14, after which he becomes a coaching free agent.
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After Sunday’s 23-19 season-ending loss to the Washington Commanders, Jones continued to praise McCarthy, but declined to comment on McCarthy’s future in Dallas.
McCarthy said he would “absolutely” want to return to Dallas, which had a 49-35 record in the regular season but was just 1-3 in the playoffs. The Cowboys finished with a record of 7 wins and 10 losses, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020, McCarthy’s first year as coach.
Jones was asked if he would allow McCarthy to speak to him if the team asked for permission, but the owner and general manager said Jones had just done something similar with running back Ezekiel Elliott and was scheduled to play in the final week of the season. He said that he was released to give him a chance to join the club. playoff team.
“We don’t want people coaching who don’t want to be here,” Jones said.
Jones and McCarthy are scheduled to discuss the direction of the series this week. Asked if McCarthy could return as coach but not call plays like he did the past two seasons, Jones said, “Anything is possible.”
McCarthy met with the team Monday morning but gave no indication about his future. He thanked the players for their hard work, met with medical staff and position coaches, and went over the end-of-season checklist.
“I’m in the wind like you,” Micah Parsons said.
McCarthy’s intention Sunday was to remain in Dallas, but it’s unclear whether Chicago’s interest will change anything.
“I’ve invested a lot here, and the Cowboys have invested a lot in me,” McCarthy said after the game. “And there’s a personal aspect to all of these decisions. They all point in the right direction. I’m willing to invest my time, my energy, my beliefs, the connections I have, the things I’ve established here. Every time you invest in understanding what’s going on, what the organization is capable of, and what it wants to do. That’s all a positive factor to consider. But I definitely believe in developing young players. At the end of the day, what’s important is winning, and you need this. We need to put these components in place. I think we have a very good foundation here.”
McCarthy’s 174 wins rank 13th in NFL history. He coached the Green Bay Packers from 2006 to 2018, winning six NFC North titles and Super Bowl 45.
He has a 19-7 record against the Bears in his career.
Coincidentally, Chicago is one of the Cowboys’ opponents in 2025.
In addition to McCarthy, the Bears also reportedly requested an interview with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson during Detroit’s week off before the playoff opener. Schefter said the Bears also requested interviews with Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Interim head coach Thomas Brown will also undergo a formal interview, according to general manager Ryan Pauls.
