The Cowboys don’t appear to be in a rush regarding their task in the Bears’ coaching search.
Dallas brass “still has not responded to Chicago’s request” to speak to current Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy about the Bears’ vacancy, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday, one day after the NFC North club initially sought permission.
This marks the latest chapter in a season-long coaching saga for McCarthy and the Cowboys, who have yet to decide if the Super Bowl-winning coach will receive a new deal to remain in Dallas with his contract set to expire on Jan. 14.
McCarthy, who holds a 49-35 record in his five seasons at the helm, expressed confidence in his abilities Sunday after Dallas’ season ended with a 23-19 loss to the Commanders.
“I have a lot of confidence in myself as a head coach. But, you know, I think like anything, body of work and all of the statistics, I think it’s more about the program, the details of what needs to be done, how can we get better,” McCarthy said. “All those things go into these decisions of whether you originally get the job or continuing to move forward. So I’m definitely in position with [owner] Jerry [Jones] to move forward. I mean, there’s no question about that in my mind.”
McCarthy added he is expected to meet with Jones in the “near future.”
The Bears are wasting no time trying to find a replacement for Matt Eberflus, who was fired midway through the 2024 season.
Chicago officially put in a request to interview McCarthy, 61, on Monday. The Cowboys do not have to grant teams permission to meet with him for another week.
McCarthy has plenty of experience with the Bears having faced the team twice a year as coach of the Packers.
He was at the helm in Green Bay from January 2006 to December 2018 and won one Super Bowl.
McCarthy and the Cowboys finished an injury-riddled 2024 campaign at 7-10.
He is one of several coaches Bears brass is looking at to fill their coaching vacancy, including Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and ex-Titans coach Mike Vrabel, who will interview Wednesday.
The Jets, Saints, Patriots, Jaguars and Raiders, who parted ways with Antonio Pierce on Tuesday, are also seeking new coaches this offseason.
