The Chicago Bears have requested permission to interview Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and are awaiting a response from Dallas, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Todd Archer on Monday.
McCarthy's contract with the Cowboys expires Wednesday but the Cowboys hold an exclusive negotiating window with him through Jan. 14.
If the Cowboys don't allow permission this week, the Bears could interview McCarthy after the Cowboys' negotiating window expires.
On Sunday, after the Cowboys completed a 7-10 season, team owner and general manager Jerry Jones praised McCarthy but never fully committed to him for 2025 and beyond.
"I don't know that I am considering making a change is really what I'm trying to say," Jones said.
Jones offered no timeline for a decision, other than to say to follow the past when he has made coaching changes. McCarthy was picked as Jason Garrett's successor 10 days after the 2019 season ended. However, he seemed to indicate he would grant permission for McCarthy to speak to other teams if requests are made.
McCarthy has posted a 49-35 regular-season record with the Cowboys, but he is 1-3 in the playoffs, has not advanced past the divisional round and suffered two of the more painful home postseason defeats in franchise history.
McCarthy, however, said he "absolutely" wants to remain as the Cowboys' head coach.
"I have a lot invested here. And the Cowboys have a lot invested in me," McCarthy said Sunday. "And then there's a personal side to all these decisions. They all point the right direction. I think anytime you invest your time, energy, your belief, the connection you have, the relationships that are in place here, the understanding of what the organization can do and is willing to do, those are all positive attributes that you take into account.
"But, you know, absolutely, I'm a builder. I believe in building programs. I believe in developing young players. So, at the end of day, it is about winning, and you have to have those components in place to get this thing where it needs to be. I think we have a very good foundation here."
McCarthy said he expects to meet with Jerry and Stephen Jones, the executive vice president, this week.
McCarthy's 174 wins as a head coach are 13th all time in NFL history.
