## Cowboys Deny Bears Permission to Interview Mike McCarthy for Head Coach Vacancy
**Arlington, Texas** – The Dallas Cowboys have denied the Chicago Bears permission to interview former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy for their vacant head coaching position, according to multiple reports.
### Bears’ Interest in McCarthy
The Bears are in the midst of a coaching search after firing Matt Nagy following a disappointing 6-11 season. McCarthy, who was fired by the Packers after the 2018 season, has been considered a top candidate for the Bears’ job due to his success in Green Bay.
During his 13 seasons with the Packers, McCarthy compiled a 125-77-2 record and won a Super Bowl in 2010. He also led the Packers to four NFC Championship Games and eight playoff appearances.
### Cowboys’ Refusal
The Cowboys’ decision to deny the Bears’ request for an interview is a surprise, as McCarthy is no longer under contract with Dallas. McCarthy served as the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator for one season in 2020 before being fired after a disappointing 6-10 campaign.
Sources close to the situation indicate that the Cowboys are concerned about McCarthy potentially sharing confidential information with the Bears, who are a division rival. The Cowboys are also reportedly wary of McCarthy’s relationship with Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has expressed interest in joining the Bears.
### Implications for Bears
The Cowboys’ refusal to allow McCarthy to interview with the Bears is a significant setback for Chicago’s coaching search. McCarthy was considered a top target for the Bears, who are looking for an experienced coach with a proven track record.
With McCarthy no longer an option, the Bears will have to focus on other candidates. Some potential candidates include:
* **Brian Flores:** Former Miami Dolphins head coach
* **Jim Caldwell:** Former Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts head coach
* **Eric Bieniemy:** Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator
* **Byron Leftwich:** Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator
### Cowboys’ Outlook
The Cowboys’ decision to deny the Bears’ request for an interview with McCarthy is a sign that they are not yet ready to move on from their former offensive coordinator. McCarthy was a key part of the Cowboys’ offense in 2020, and his departure could have a significant impact on the team’s performance in 2022.
The Cowboys are currently in the process of hiring a new offensive coordinator, and they are expected to consider candidates with similar experience and offensive philosophy as McCarthy. Some potential candidates include:
* **Kellen Moore:** Cowboys quarterbacks coach
* **Joe Brady:** Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator
* **Matt LaFleur:** Packers head coach (who served as offensive coordinator under McCarthy)
### Conclusion
The Cowboys’ decision to deny the Bears permission to interview Mike McCarthy is a major development in the NFL coaching carousel. The Bears will now have to focus on other candidates, while the Cowboys will continue their search for a new offensive coordinator. The outcome of these decisions could have a significant impact on the NFL landscape in 2022.