Mike McCarthy is in football limbo.
The Dallas Cowboys denied permission for the Bears to interview their head coach about Chicago's open position, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday.
McCarthy's contract with the Cowboys expires Jan. 14, so this is a curious move by owner/GM Jerry Jones. The Cowboys, who missed the playoffs this season. have the right to block requests to talk to McCarthy until that date.
McCarthy joined the Cowboys in 2020 following a one-year layoff from the NFL. He was previously let go from the Green Bay Packers midway through the 2018-19 season after 13 seasons and a Super Bowl title with the franchise.
Following a 6-10 record in his first year at the helm, the veteran head coach led the Cowboys to three consecutive 12-5 seasons, albeit with just one playoff victory to show for it. In 2024-25, Dallas went 7-10 even with injuries to key contributors like quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
McCarthy holds a career win percentage just over 60 per cent and has made the post-season in 12 of his 18 seasons as a head coach. His playoff record is 11-11.
He is one of at least 12 men the Bears have requested interviews with so far. The team fired head coach Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29 and assigned Thomas Brown to the role on an interim basis.
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