Reports indicate that bears have put cowboys in a coaching dilemma after requesting an interview with Mike McCarthy.

The Chicago Bears' actions may have prompted the Dallas Cowboys to make a quicker decision about head coach Mike McCarthy.

The Cowboys have not yet responded to the Bears' request for permission to interview McCarthy for their head coach vacancy, according to ESPN.

The Bears do not require the Cowboys' consent to interview the longtime NFL head coach after the exclusive negotiating window ends on Jan. 14.

The Super Bowl-winning coach's contract with the Cowboys is set to expire, but Jones has indicated that he will not allow McCarthy to simply leave for free agency. There is a possibility that he may return, and players like Dak Prescott have expressed their desire for him to stay.

The Bears and other teams may have to wait for McCarthy to make a decision with the Cowboys, but they could potentially speed up the process.

In his fifth season in Dallas, McCarthy led the Cowboys to a 7-10 record and their first playoff miss since 2020, despite going 12-5 in each of the previous three seasons.

Before the 2024 regular season, there were uncertainties about McCarthy's future with the organization, as players like Prescott and CeeDee Lamb received extensions, but the head coach did not sign a contract extension.

McCarthy's prospects were bleak as the Cowboys struggled early on and then suffered a devastating injury to Prescott in November.

As backup quarterback Cooper Rush grew more comfortable in the starting role, it became clear by the end of the year that the Cowboys were not simply waiting for the season to end.

Despite a beatdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17, Dallas played hard until the end in Week 18, but the Washington Commanders had a game-winning touchdown with three seconds left to hand them their 10th loss of the season.

According to NFL Network, Jones and McCarthy were predicted to meet Monday afternoon, but no contract offer was specified. The report stated that McCarthy desires to remain in Dallas if they would accept him.

Jones admitted to reporters that what he was trying to convey was that he was unsure if he was considering making a change in his coaching situation.

The Bears will be on the hunt for a new coach to lead a team with great potential, but struggled to maintain momentum after starting the season 4-2. A Week 18 victory over the Packers ended a 10-game losing streak and provided a positive finish to the year, but Caleb Williams and his team must improve if they want to contend in a competitive NFC North division.

Several top candidates, including Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn, New York Giants OC Mike Kafka and Steelers OC Arthur Smith, have already been requested for interviews by the Bears.

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