The Bears have already requested permission to interview several top candidates, including Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn, New York Giants OC Mike Kafka and Steelers OC Arthur Smith, among others.
McCarthy has just finished his fifth season in Dallas, and after going 12-5 in each of the last three seasons, the Cowboys finished 7-10 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020 – his first year as head coach.
Meanwhile, the Bears will be searching high and low for the right man to take over a team with loads of potential, but could not keep the ball rolling after starting the year 4-2. A Week 18 win over the Green Bay Packers snapped a 10-game losing streak to end the year on a high note, but Caleb Williams and company need to improve if they wish to compete in a loaded NFC North division.
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However, the speed at which Jones and the Cowboys make their decision could be sped up now with the Bears, and possibly other teams, waiting to interview McCarthy for their own head coaching gigs.
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However, the Bears do not need the Cowboys’ permission as they could interview the longtime NFL head coach after the exclusive negotiating window is up on Jan. 14.
“I don’t know that I am considering making a change is really what I’m trying to say,” Jones told reporters about his coaching situation.
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