The Dallas Cowboys have chosen not to re-negotiate Mike McCarthy’s contract, essentially making the former head coach a free agent available for any team to hire.
Last week, before McCarthy’s contract had officially expired, the Chicago Bears put in a formal request to interview McCarthy for their head coaching vacancy, which the Cowboys denied. However, now that he is no longer under contract, the Bears will have the chance to speak with McCarthy, and if they choose to, to hire him without sending Dallas any compensation.
“Members of (Cowboys) coach Mike McCarthy’s staff have now been informed that the two sides are separating and his contract will expire. McCarthy is free to speak with other teams — (Saints) and (Bears) are at the top of the list,” NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday afternoon.
McCarthy, of course, is familiar with the Bears and the rest of the NFC North from his time as the Green Bay Packers head coach from 2006-through-2018, including winning a Super Bowl in 2011.
However, after posting a meager 49-35 record as the Cowboys’ head coach, not all Bears fans are all that fired up about the idea of McCarthy returning to the NFC North, as Chicago’s next head coach:
The Bears are going to hire Mike McCarthy and let the Raiders hire Ben Johnson. This feels exactly like the path, and I’m already pre pissed off thinking about it.
— Courtney Finnicum (@courtney883) January 13, 2025
Mike McCarthy falls into that "You could absolutely do worse, but you could absolutely do better" territory for me.
I'd at least be happy with an offensive mind for the Bears and Caleb.
(And I do fear that they would do worse otherwise lol)
— Matt Clapp (@DaBearNecess) January 13, 2025
I don't know how u all feel Bears family, but I sure as hell don't want Mike McCarthy as a possible HC candidate. I mean when I see his face on TV, all I think about is the Packers & that don't sit well with me. I mean, u all may have a different opinion than me. I'm a HARD NO!
— RASTA AK (@RastaAK47) January 13, 2025
We've already had enough Packer's used parts on our staff with Trojan Horse Getsy. We do not need anymore
— Terrance Fields 🐻⬇️ (@Chi2Hawaii) January 13, 2025
No insider information just calling my shot. Mike McCarthy will be the next Bears HC
— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears) January 13, 2025
The Bears have already completed interviews with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, former Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl-winning head coach Pete Carroll, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and interim head coach Thomas Brown, among others.
McCarthy would bring an element of experience to Halas Hall, but also an aura of predictability from his time in Green Bay and Dallas, as well.
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