Confirmed! Deal done! Will coach the Chicago Bears

Confirmed! Deal done! Will coach the Chicago Bears

Cowboys fans aren't going to like where Mike McCarthy has his sights set on the future of his career.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy may be on the verge of his final game as head coach of the team. This Sunday, January 5, against the Washington Commanders, the coach faces what many believe will be his farewell after a disappointing 7-9 season and missed playoff spot. NFL pundits and analysts are already pointing to an imminent split between McCarthy and the Cowboys.

But if that split happens, McCarthy doesn't plan on staying put. The coach is reportedly eyeing another opportunity in the NFC — and that's where the story gets heated.

McCarthy is reportedly interested in coaching an NFC rival;

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, McCarthy is reportedly "strongly interested" in one specific position, and it wouldn't please Dallas fans at all. The possible destination? The Chicago Bears.

“I’ve talked to several people who believe McCarthy — if he leaves Dallas — could focus on Chicago,” Fowler said in a Jan. 2 article.

McCarthy, who has a solid resume, brings nearly two decades of coaching experience in the NFC, including 13 years with the Green Bay Packers and five with the Cowboys, as well as a Super Bowl title, to his name. That puts him ahead of less experienced candidates like the Detroit Lions’ Ben Johnson.

Chicago’s interest in McCarthy, however, is anyone’s guess. The Bears have been exploring other names to lead the team, especially with young quarterback Caleb Williams emerging as a promising prospect.

Not everyone is thrilled with McCarthy in Chicago;

FanSided’s Terrence Jordan was not shy about criticizing the coach, calling him the top name the Bears should “avoid like the plague.”

“Bears fans are tired of Matt Eberflus’ consistent poor decisions, and McCarthy is no different,” Jordan wrote in a Jan. 2 article. He recalled controversial moments, such as the questionable 2023 draft pick for Dak Prescott against the 49ers, which sparked outrage among Cowboys fans. Jordan went on to say, “The Bears can’t afford to gamble on a coach whose best days are behind him. McCarthy may not be in Dallas next year, but he definitely shouldn’t be in Chicago.” Critics also pointed out that, despite having one of the NFL’s best defenses and offensive lines under his belt, McCarthy never led the Cowboys to the NFC Championship Game. An emotional goodbye? At a Jan. 2 press conference, McCarthy was asked about the possibility of Sunday’s matchup being his farewell with the Cowboys. Visibly emotional, he reflected on his connection to the team and AT&T Stadium. “I’ll be honest, I walk into that stadium with a huge emotional charge every time. I won a Super Bowl in that locker room. There’s a strong attachment that I feel every time I walk in and out of there,” he said.

Even with his future uncertain, McCarthy seems aware of the weight of this moment. For the Cowboys, it could be the end of one chapter; for McCarthy, the beginning of a new saga — perhaps in Chicago, or somewhere else in the NFL.