How Mike McCarthy’s Cowboys exit could impact Bears’ head coach search
The Bears requested an interview with Mike McCarthy as part of their coaching search. Dallas turned them down.
Then, on Monday, the Cowboys let McCarthy’s contract expire.
Everybody follow that?
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It was an odd sequence to be sure, one that negatively impacts Dallas. The Bears don’t care about that, but they’re pleasantly surprised that someone they wanted to interview is now available to do exactly that.
McCarthy will speak with the Bears about their head-coaching vacancy this week, per NFLN’s Tom Pelissero, now that he’s unencumbered by team affiliation.
There might be a group of Bears fans who eliminate a former Packers head coach on speck, simply for ever having coached in Green Bay. Others might shake a head no due to Dallas’ underperformance in 2024.
McCarthy’s candidacy and Bears fit is more layered than that. He’s not without flaw, but McCarthy has a combination of head-coaching experience and status as a quarterback developer that’s rare on their long list of candidates.
Let’s dig into the advantages of that.
McCarthy could pair well with 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, a super talented quarterback in need of coaching to harness and maximize his elite physical gifts. He did so with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, helping him achieve greatness during their 11 seasons working together, earning a Super Bowl win and two MVP awards. While they aren’t identical players, Williams is a huge Rodgers fan and would likely feel comfortable working with a head coach who got the best from his football idol.
Also, Dak Prescott threw for at least 4,400 yards and a 104 passer rating in both of his fully-healthy seasons with McCarthy.
Everything is heavily scrutinized when you’re a Cowboys coach, but McCarthy’s overall track record is pretty darn good. He has finished with at least 10 wins a dozen times in 18 seasons. He has been to the playoffs a 12 times and won eight division titles in that span. And, if we’re just talking about offensive prowess, his play calling has helped conduct 12 teams that were a top-10 scoring offense and 10 that were in the top 5. For those concerned he has lost his fastball, Dallas was a top-4 offense in the three seasons before the 2024 meltdown.
Detractors could mention an overall lack of playoff success while working with elite quarterbacks and fairly mention some game-management issues in big games, but think about where the Bears are at this point. They’re a team plagued by offensive struggles and overall underperformance, needing a jolt to get back into contention.
They need a stabilizing presence, someone who can command a team and earn the respect of a locker room. Bears players made it crystal clear they want someone who can help them win and eliminate gray area. McCarthy can do that.
While several others on the Bears’ interview list have offensive play calling prowess and or extensive head-coaching experience, few have both. None have his track record of success.
He has also worked with general managers and without full personnel control, as would be the case in Chicago with Ryan Poles.
That’s why McCarthy should rank high among the team’s top candidates, though there are real contenders atop the list. There’s also external competition, with McCarthy slated to interview with the Saints at some point soon.
While the Bears have some quality candidates available, McCarthy should be heavily considered as they continue their search for stability and their next head coach.