McCarthy’s Surprising Status in the Coaching Carousel: Inside the Cowboys and Bears’ Plans
FRISCO – After an eventful Wildcard Weekend and subsequent fallout, the Dallas Cowboys officially parted ways with head coach Mike McCarthy earlier this week. The decision marks the end of McCarthy’s tenure in Dallas and opens a new chapter for both parties as they chart their respective futures.
The Cowboys wasted no time launching a comprehensive search for McCarthy’s replacement, arranging interviews with a mix of seasoned NFL veterans and intriguing outside-the-box candidates. So far, they have set up discussions with former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, former Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier, and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.
However, as is often the case with the Cowboys, there is an unexpected twist. Their candidate pool also includes unconventional names like 11-time Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten, currently a high school football coach in Texas, and University of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, the Hall of Fame cornerback who starred for Dallas in the 1990s and led the team to its most recent Super Bowl victory in 1995.
Meanwhile, McCarthy’s name has surfaced as a leading contender for another high-profile vacancy: the head coaching position with the Chicago Bears. According to FOX NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, McCarthy is firmly in the running alongside Ben Johnson, the highly sought-after Detroit Lions offensive coordinator.
“For all intents and purposes… it’s a two-horse race between Mike McCarthy and Ben Johnson,” Schultz revealed. “Now, if Brian Flores [former Dolphins head coach] goes in and wows them, then he is still in that mix. But right now, McCarthy and Johnson are the two leading candidates for Chicago.”
The Bears’ coaching search is laser-focused on finding a leader capable of developing quarterback Caleb Williams, last year’s No. 1 overall pick. Williams is seen as the key to Chicago’s future, and the organization seeks a coach who can nurture his talent and turn the team into a serious contender in the NFC.
Though McCarthy faced criticism during his time in Dallas for falling short in the playoffs, his tenure wasn’t devoid of success. He guided the Cowboys to three straight 12-win seasons, including 2023, a year in which Dak Prescott thrived and posted some of the best performances of his career.
While Johnson is considered the brightest young offensive mind in the league, McCarthy brings a wealth of experience, including a Super Bowl championship with the Green Bay Packers and a history of working with elite quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Prescott.
The Bears are weighing their options, and McCarthy’s ability to deliver consistent regular-season success combined with his offensive expertise could give him an edge. Still, with Johnson’s innovative approach and youth, Chicago faces a tough decision as it looks to shape its future.
As the Cowboys explore their own bold coaching choices and McCarthy eyes a potential new opportunity, one thing is clear: the ripple effects of Dallas’ coaching change are already being felt across the league, setting up an intriguing offseason filled with speculation and possibilities.
