NFL insider reports Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy could 'set his sights' on Chicago Bears job

When the Dallas Cowboys finish their regular season finale against the Washington Commanders, head coach Mike McCarthy will be a free agent. McCarthy’s contract is set to expire and put him back on the open market. Dallas has not determined whether or not McCarthy will come back but the decision reportedly might not be in their hands.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, McCarthy could “set his sights” on the Chicago Bears job ahead of the 2025 season. For now, it’s just an option for the long-tenured head coach as his future is in question. Returning to the Cowboys is certainly on the table but if the two sides break up, the Bears could provide a fresh opportunity.

“I’ve talked to multiple people who believe McCarthy — should he leave Dallas — could set his sights on Chicago,” Fowler said.

Bears fans are familiar with McCarthy but most of the memories are not positive. McCarthy was the long-time head coach of the Green Bay Packers, leading them to a Super Bowl in 2010. His head-to-head record against the Bears is quite good too, sitting at 19-7.

Chicago is going to get a good jump in its coaching search, firing Matt Eberflus midseason. Finding somebody new to guide franchise quarterback Caleb Williams should be the team’s main goal moving forward.

Maybe McCarthy can provide what the Bears need after having success with Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott throughout the years.

Stephen Jones unsure on timeline of Mike McCarthy decision

Nothing is on the line for Dallas on Sunday against Washington except where they will pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Right now, the franchise’s biggest story is what the future of McCarthy entails.

Nobody is quite sure which direction the Jones family will go, having a massive decision to make. Exactly when McCarthy will know his fate appears to be unknown as well. Stephen Jones spoke on a potential timeline once the season ends, saying the Cowboys are not quite there yet.

“We’ve been so focused on this season that we haven’t really even thought about it in terms of timing,” Jones said. “Obviously Mike McCarthy and his staff have done a hell of a job for us. We’ll really sit down and go over that, but in terms of starting to set up time schedules and those types of things in terms of when we’ll make decisions, we haven’t gotten to that point.”