The Dallas Cowboys’ refusal to entertain the Chicago Bears’ request for an interview with head coach Mike McCarthy is a development that has garnered significant attention within NFL circles. The Bears, who have struggled with consistency and performance in recent seasons, have been on the lookout for a new leader to guide them out of their rebuilding phase. As part of this effort, they sought permission from the Cowboys to speak with McCarthy, who has guided Dallas since 2020. However, according to multiple reports, the Cowboys denied the request, setting the stage for a variety of discussions about McCarthy’s future in Dallas, the state of the Bears’ coaching search, and the broader implications of such a decision.
Background: The Chicago Bears’ Search for a New Head Coach
The Chicago Bears have had an inconsistent performance record over the past few years, despite a number of promising players, including quarterback Justin Fields, who has the potential to be a transformative player for the team. In 2024, the Bears once again failed to reach the playoffs, continuing a lengthy streak of subpar seasons. With an aging roster, a high-profile quarterback, and a fanbase that is becoming increasingly frustrated, the Bears have placed a major focus on finding a head coach who can lead them back to playoff contention.
The search for a new head coach has been particularly important given the discontent with former head coach Matt Eberflus. After taking over in 2022, Eberflus was unable to significantly improve the team’s performance, and in 2024, the Bears were eliminated from playoff contention early in the season. Chicago is now at a crossroads, with many fans and analysts alike calling for a change in leadership to provide stability and growth.
Given the limited pool of candidates that could be both available and capable of turning the team around, the Bears’ focus on established NFL coaches, particularly those with prior championship experience, makes sense. One such candidate who has attracted attention is Mike McCarthy, head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
Mike McCarthy’s Career and Performance in Dallas
Mike McCarthy’s coaching career spans decades in the NFL, and he is perhaps best known for leading the Green Bay Packers to victory in Super Bowl XLV during the 2010 NFL season. McCarthy enjoyed a highly successful tenure in Green Bay, where he guided the team to multiple NFC Championship Games and regular-season success. However, after a disappointing 2018 season, he and the Packers parted ways, and McCarthy took a brief hiatus from coaching.
In 2020, McCarthy was hired as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, succeeding Jason Garrett. McCarthy’s time in Dallas has had its ups and downs. While he inherited a team with high expectations, particularly around quarterback Dak Prescott and the team’s overall offensive firepower, McCarthy’s early seasons have been characterized by mixed results. The Cowboys have remained a highly competitive team in the NFC, but they have fallen short of expectations in critical games, especially in the postseason.
Despite this, McCarthy’s tenure with the Cowboys is not without merit. In 2021, he led the Cowboys to a 12-5 record and a division title. The team’s offense, led by Prescott and the emerging talent of players like CeeDee Lamb, Ezekiel Elliott, and Tony Pollard, was one of the most potent in the league. However, the Cowboys were unable to advance beyond the NFC Divisional Round in the playoffs that season, and in 2022, they lost in the NFC Championship Game, again failing to reach the Super Bowl.
Nevertheless, McCarthy has proven himself to be a capable coach, with a track record of sustained success. His leadership style and offensive philosophy—built around a high-powered passing attack—has helped revive the Cowboys’ offense, which had been in a state of disarray prior to his arrival. Under his watch, the team has often been a contender in the NFC, with McCarthy bringing in seasoned assistant coaches, including former Packers’ offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, who helped further strengthen the team’s coaching staff.
However, McCarthy’s tenure has not been without criticism. While the team has made the playoffs in each of McCarthy’s first three seasons, they have been unable to advance to a Super Bowl. The Cowboys’ lack of postseason success has been a major point of contention for the team’s fanbase and ownership, and this pressure likely factors into the Cowboys’ decision to deny the Bears’ request to speak with McCarthy.
The Cowboys’ Decision to Reject the Bears’ Request
When the Chicago Bears approached the Cowboys with a request to interview McCarthy as part of their head coaching search, the response from Dallas was a firm “no.” This is not entirely surprising given McCarthy’s status as the Cowboys’ current head coach. While it is not uncommon for teams to grant interview requests for assistants and coordinators, head coaches are typically not made available for such inquiries unless there is a mutual desire for a change of scenery.
There are several factors that likely influenced the Cowboys’ decision to reject the Bears’ request.
1. McCarthy’s Standing in Dallas
Despite criticisms regarding his inability to take the Cowboys to the next level, Mike McCarthy remains in a relatively secure position within the organization. Jerry Jones, the team’s owner, has shown continued support for McCarthy, especially after a strong 2024 season that saw the Cowboys competing at a high level. Dallas was a major contender for a Super Bowl appearance in 2024, and this level of success in the regular season makes it unlikely that the Cowboys would entertain the idea of losing McCarthy at this stage.
2. Continuity and Stability
In the highly competitive world of the NFL, teams that appear on the verge of success often avoid making drastic changes to their coaching staff. The Cowboys have built a strong, competitive roster, and McCarthy has played a crucial role in developing and coaching this team. Moving away from McCarthy at this juncture would risk destabilizing the progress made under his leadership, particularly given that the Cowboys’ coaching staff has begun to gel. As the team moves forward with a high-quality quarterback, an elite defense, and a strong offensive line, the Cowboys’ management likely views McCarthy as integral to achieving sustained success.
3. Control Over the Head Coach’s Future
If McCarthy were to leave Dallas for another job, the Cowboys would lose the ability to control the circumstances around his departure. By rejecting the interview request, Dallas sends a message that they have no intention of parting ways with McCarthy. For a franchise in need of continuity and stability, this makes sense; any potential future coaching change should be driven by the Cowboys themselves, not another franchise.
4. Potential Fallout Within the Locker Room
Another potential consideration for rejecting the Bears’ request is the impact that allowing McCarthy to entertain an interview could have on the Cowboys’ locker room. The players and coaches within the organization have likely developed a certain level of trust and chemistry with McCarthy, and the prospect of him leaving for another team could disrupt that harmony. In a league where team cohesion is vital, the Cowboys’ refusal to allow McCarthy to interview with another organization helps preserve the stability within the team’s culture and leadership structure.
5. Bears’ Status as a Competitor
Finally, there is the simple fact that the Cowboys would prefer to keep their head coach away from their NFC competitors. The Bears, while not perennial contenders, are part of the NFC, and if they were to hire McCarthy, the Cowboys would be handing their rival a potential asset. Denying the Bears’ request keeps McCarthy under the Cowboys’ control and prevents any advantages the Bears could gain from his leadership.
The Future of Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys
Mike McCarthy’s immediate future in Dallas remains secure, but the looming question of whether he can bring the Cowboys to the Super Bowl remains unresolved. While McCarthy has the pedigree of a successful coach, the postseason failures of his tenure are a significant concern, particularly when the Cowboys’ roster is so stacked with talent.
As the 2025 season approaches, McCarthy and the Cowboys face a make-or-break scenario. They will have to overcome the playoff demons that have plagued the team and continue to build on their regular-season success. If McCarthy can guide Dallas to an NFC Championship and ultimately the Super Bowl, his position as head coach will be cemented for the long term. However, if the Cowboys fall short again, it is possible that Jerry Jones may reevaluate McCarthy’s future in Dallas.
For the Bears, their pursuit of a head coach will continue. They will likely target other experienced candidates as they seek to turn their franchise around. Regardless of who becomes their next head coach, the Bears are at a crossroads and will need a leader capable of developing Fields and restoring the team to competitive relevance.
