The Chicago Bears put in a request to interview Mike McCarthy last week. They were denied by the Dallas Cowboys, who still had him under contract. Most thought that was a clear sign the two sides were working out an extension. A few days later, the other shoe dropped. McCarthy would not return. He'd become a free agent. Almost right after the news broke, the Bears set up an interview with him on January 15th. Moving with such speed was the first indication that the team was highly interested in his services.
The next came from Marc Silverman of Waddle & Silvy. He revealed on ESPN 1000 that the Bears will speak with McCarthy in person, making him only the second to receive that status along with Ron Rivera. Not only that, but they also plan to take him out to a private dinner afterward. This either means they are serious about McCarthy as one of their top options, or it's a sign of the treatment other prominent candidates will receive.
The Bears being interested in Mike McCarthy shouldn't be surprising.
Start with the two men at the top. One thing has become clear when watching this partnership between GM Ryan Poles and team president Kevin Warren. All signs suggest Poles wants an offensive coach who can get the most out of quarterback Caleb Williams. Warren would prefer somebody with head coaching experience, leaning into his background with other NFL franchises like the Rams, Lions, and Vikings. McCarthy checks both boxes. He has successfully developed multiple young quarterbacks in his career, from Aaron Brooks in New Orleans to Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. He's also been the head coach of both the Packers and Cowboys.
There isn't a better compromise option for Poles and Warren on the market. Many believe the New Orleans Saints are an equal threat to land Mike McCarthy, given his history with the franchise in the early 2000s. However, Josina Anderson indicated Tuesday evening that the Saints don't view him as a priority. This means the Bears are in the driver's seat. It won't be the flashy choice in the eyes of Bears fans. They see him as the coaching equivalent of a checkdown. He will make the team better, but not a true contender. If Poles and Warren are feeling uncertain about their futures, it makes sense why they'd be okay with that.
