The Dallas Cowboys have denied the Chicago Bears’ request to interview head coach Mike McCarthy, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move sends a strong message as to what their plans for him and their head-coaching position might be.
McCarthy’s contract is set to expire this month, and with the Bears in the market for a new head coach, they attempted to get a head start on interviewing him before he became a free agent.
That attempt, for now, came up empty.
It is still possible that McCarthy could end up being a free agent in the coming weeks if he does not sign a new contract with the Cowboys, which could open the door for Chicago to come back around and talk to him.
But the fact Dallas rejected the interview request and, given the fact they have not really made any effort to speak to anybody outside of the organization, would seem to suggest that maybe they still have interest in bringing McCarthy back for another season.
Even though the Cowboys are coming off a disappointing 7-10 season, it is hard to put all of that failure on McCarthy given the injury situation the Cowboys dealt with all season. The defense was ravaged by injuries in the early part of the season, and then they lost starting quarterback Dak Prescott at the halfway point.
McCarthy is also just one year removed from having his third consecutive 12-win season with the Cowboys.
The playoff success has not been there, but they have been a competitive team on his watch, and there is no guarantee an upgrade is available.
