Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has put a stop to the Chicago Bears' hopes of interviewing head coach Mike McCarthy. ESPN reported on Tuesday, citing sources, that the Cowboys denied the Bears permission to speak with McCarthy about their head coaching vacancy. This news comes just as McCarthy's current contract with the Cowboys is set to expire next week.
Following the Cowboys' season-ending loss to the Washington Commanders, Jones offered praise for McCarthy but remained noncommittal about his future with the team. While acknowledging McCarthy's coaching abilities and suitability for Dallas, Jones indicated that a decision regarding a contract extension had not yet been made and would be addressed in the coming weeks.
McCarthy himself has expressed a strong desire to remain in Dallas, highlighting his confidence in his coaching abilities despite the Cowboys' 7-10 record this season. He stated his belief that he and Jones are aligned on moving forward together.
McCarthy's overall record with the Cowboys stands at 49-35. Prior to this season, he led the team to the playoffs for three consecutive years with a 12-5 record. The Bears, meanwhile, are actively seeking a replacement for Matt Eberflus, who was fired mid-season after a Thanksgiving Day loss – a first-time occurrence in franchise history.
