The NFC apparently is suited for Mike McCarthy.
With McCarthy and the Cowboys breaking up after failed contract talks, the Bears and Saints are expected to have interest in the Super Bowl-winning coach, according to ESPN.
Dallas previously denied the Bears an interview request while McCarthy remained under contract, but he will now be free to do so once his contract expires Tuesday before midnight.
McCarthy, 61, is a potentially attractive candidate for the five other openings, with the Jets, Jaguars and Raiders joining the Bears and Saints as teams in need of a new leader.
He’s 174-112-2 across 18 seasons with the Packers and Cowboys, having led Green Bay to a championship during the 2010 season.
McCarthy went 49-35 spanning his five seasons with Dallas, but tallied just one playoff win in three tries and oversaw a 7-10 season this past campaign.
The Cowboys lost to the 49ers in the 2022 and ’23 postseasons before flopping against the Packers at home in the playoffs.
This season, Dallas could not overcome injuries to its stars like quarterback Dak Prescott.
That the Cowboys declined the Bears request raised speculation about whether McCarthy would return to Dallas, but ESPN reported shortly before the official decision leaked Monday afternoon that the coach had yet to negotiate a contract with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
McCarthy, Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones met “at least” three times last week, per the report, but those discussions focused on what had went wrong, the future and potential changes that included roster and coaching construction, along with offensive strategy.
Those discussions clearly did not push Jones to a point where he felt he had to retain McCarthy and both parties will now have fresh starts.
The Bears’ opening would allow McCarthy to work with No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, but there are questions about ownership and Chicago’s chances in a suddenly revitalized NFC North.
The Saints have an easier path to the playoffs in the NFC South, but their roster is finally feeling the effects of all the years of pushing back salary hits and lacks a franchise quarterback.
Derek Carr’s season ended due to injury and he has not excelled in his two seasons with the team, while Spencer Rattler did not look ready during his brief time as the starter.
The Cowboys’ gig should be attractive since the team is usually in the mix and its a high-profile job, but the roster is rather top-heavy and situated in a tough NFC East.
The Patriots are the only team to fill their opening thus far, hiring former тιтans coach and ex-Super Bowl champion linebacker Mike Vrabel.
