The Chicago Bears are seeking permission to interview Mike McCarthy for their head coaching job and are awaiting a response from the Dallas Cowboys, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Todd Archer.
If the request is denied, the Bears can interview McCarthy after Jan. 14 when his exclusive negotiating window with the Cowboys ends.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Sunday he would be open to granting McCarthy permission to speak to other teams if asked, but doing so would likely end any chance of the coach returning to Dallas, via Garrett Podell of CBS Sports.
There's a belief around the league that McCarthy would be interested in the Bears' coaching job if the Cowboys choose not to bring him back, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
The Cowboys elected to have McCarthy coach out the final year of his contract in 2024, but the season didn't go as planned. Dallas missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020 as injuries to key players sunk the team to a 7-10 record.
McCarthy has posted a 49-35 record since joining the Cowboys in 2020 and boasts three 12-win campaigns with the franchise, each of which led to a playoff appearance. However, his teams have been unable to advance past the divisional round.
A move to Chicago would bring the former Super Bowl champion coach back to the NFC North, where he captured a Lombardi Trophy with the Green Bay Packers during the 2010 season. He would also be paired with quarterback and 2024 first overall pick Caleb Williams.
The Bears entered the market for a full-time head coach after firing Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29. Thomas Brown completed the campaign as the interim boss. They finished the season 5-12 while losing 10 of their last 11 games.
The Bears have reportedly expressed interest in numerous head coaching candidates, including Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
