(670 The Score) Longtime NFL head coach Mike McCarthy had an interview with the Bears on Wednesday for their coaching vacancy, the team confirmed. It was an in-person interview at Halas Hall.
McCarthy, 61, parted ways with the Cowboys earlier this week after the sides failed to reach an agreement on a new contract. He has been an NFL head coach for 18 seasons, leading Green Bay from 2006-'18 and Dallas from 2020-'24.
McCarthy owns a career record of 174-112-2. He led the Packers to a Super Bowl championship in the 2010 season and guided them to six division crowns in his Green Bay tenure. McCarthy has led his teams to the playoffs in 12 of his 18 seasons as a head coach. The Bears have reached the postseason just four times in that span.
A Pittsburgh native, McCarthy broke into the NFL as an offensive quality control coach with the Chiefs in 1993. He was promoted to quarterbacks coach two years later and became a first-time offensive coordinator with the Saints in 2000.
McCarthy’s teams have ranked top 10 in scoring in 12 of his 18 seasons as a head coach. He's a candidate for the Bears in large part due to his track record developing offenses around his quarterback and leading teams to the playoffs.
The Bears have an opening after firing former head coach Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29, marking the franchise’s first in-season dismissal of a head coach.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles – who has been retained for a fourth season in his position – is considered the “point man” in this coaching search, team president/CEO Kevin Warren said.
Poles will be joined in the search process by Warren, chairman George McCaskey, senior director of player personnel Jeff King, director of football administration Matt Feinstein and chief human resources officer Liz Geist. The Bears may also include members of their senior leadership team in the interview process. Eleven individuals hold titles of executive vice president or senior vice president.
The Bears have stated their intention to conduct a wide-ranging coaching search. Poles began the process shortly after firing Eberflus, starting by gathering background information and making phone calls to gather intel on potential candidates.
“We're looking for clear vision, a developmental mindset, really good game management and obviously a plan to develop a quarterback is going to be a key part of that as well,” Poles said. “We're going to cast a wide net. It's going to be a diverse group. This will be different backgrounds from offense, defense, special teams, college, pro. We're turning every stone to make sure we're doing this the right way.
“There's going to be some names that you don't expect, that are going to surprise you because we’re digging deeper than we ever have before. In terms of timing, we're going to move with urgency, but we're not going to rush the process.
“We want it to be a sound process.”
McCarthy is the 12th candidate the Bears have interviewed as of Wednesday evening. They've also interviewed interim head coach Thomas Brown, former Stanford coach David Shaw, Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, former Panthers and Commanders coach Ron Rivera, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and former Titans coach Mike Vrabel, who has since accepted an offer to become the Patriots' new head coach.
The Bears have one of six remaining coaching vacancies still open. The Cowboys, Jets, Saints, Raiders and Jaguars each have positions available as well.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on X @CEmma670.