Mike McCarthy is still under contract with the Dallas Cowboys, but at least one NFC team is hoping Jerry Jones will allow the coach to explore other opportunities.
The Chicago Bears have requested permission to interview McCarthy for their head coach vacancy, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Todd Archer reported on Monday. The Cowboys had not responded to the inquiry as of Monday evening.
McCarthy’s deal with the Cowboys expires on Jan. 14. That means the team has exclusive negotiating rights with the 61-year-old coach until then. If Dallas wants McCarthy back next season, they could deny the interview request from the Bears and any other teams in hopes of working out a new contract agreement with McCarthy.
A report over the weekend said McCarthy might explore other opportunities even if the Cowboys want him back. Jones had a notable reaction that rumor.
McCarthy said following the Cowboys’ season-ending loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday that he “absolutely” wants to remain in Dallas. That does not mean he is going to take some sort of massive discount or turn down a better offer if another team is more enthusiastic about hiring him than the Cowboys are about retaining him.
McCarthy has gone 49-35 in five seasons as the head coach in Dallas. His 1-3 mark in the playoffs has been a disappointment, but Dallas went 12-5 three straight years before injuries contributed to their disappointing 7-10 campaign this season.
There has already been talk that McCarthy could have his eye on the Bears job as a backup plan. If Jones genuinely wants McCarthy back next season, the Cowboys might have to get serious about their offer to the former Super Bowl champion.
