The Bears are interested in Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy for their vacant head coaching job and are seeking permission to speak with him. 

The Cowboys have not responded to the Bears’ request, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, though Chicago could still very well interview McCarthy after the exclusive negotiating window he has with the Cowboys closes on Jan. 14. 

McCarthy’s status in Dallas remains up in the air with his contract set to expire now that the Cowboys’ season is over and owner Jerry Jones has been noncommittal to the coach, who just wrapped his fifth year in Dallas. 

Jones and McCarthy were expected to meet late Monday afternoon, though it wasn’t known if any offer would be made to the coach, NFL Network’s Jane Slater reported. 

A team meeting that occurred on Monday morning was described as “business as usual.” 

Slater also reported that it was believed that McCarthy does want to return to coach the Cowboys next season.

When Jones met with reporters following Sunday’s season finale, 

“I don’t know that I am considering making a change is really what I’m trying to say,” Jones told reporters about his thoughts on the coaching situation. 

He did heap praise on McCarthy, 61, for the job that he’s done in Dallas, which includes a 49-35 record in the regular season and a 1-3 record in the postseason. 

“Mike’s one of the best coaches that I think there is,” Jones said. “He was made the coach here because I thought that, and he’s done absolutely nothing to diminish my opinion of him as a coach.”

The Bears are looking to find a head coach to right the ship after another dismal season. 

Chicago has already requested to interview Lions coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.