After a bit of a delay, the Cowboys have responded to the Bears regarding Mike McCarthy. Dallas is blocking its head coach from meeting with Chicago brass for a lateral move, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
Teams requesting meetings with other clubs’ HCs is certainly rare, but with McCarthy having coached on an expiring contract, the Cowboys left the door open to such requests. The Bears were the only team thus far to request a meeting. That said, Dallas only has McCarthy under contract for another week. After January 14, the team cannot block its HC from interviewing elsewhere.
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This comes after Jones had said, “go talk” (via SI.com’s Mike Fisher) in reference to McCarthy potentially meeting with other teams. Tuesday’s development runs counter to that sentiment. No decision has been made on McCarthy, however, AllDLLS.com’s Clarence Hill reports.
The Cowboys have a week to work out another contract with McCarthy. Otherwise, a scenario in which the NFC East team is vying for its own coach on the market would arise. Tuesday’s decision could be interpreted as a Cowboys effort to keep McCarthy. If nothing else, the Cowboys would appear undecided on letting their HC walk. The team has been known for delayed calls here, as the Jason Garrett era reminds.
Some momentum appeared to build in favor of this transpiring, with Dak Prescott offering a strong endorsement of his HC late in the season. The Cowboys also preceded this disappointing season with three straight 12-win campaigns. They had not enjoyed that kind of consistency since their 1990s dynasty, though McCarthy’s squads obviously left plenty to be desired in terms of playoff success.
Still, the Cowboys have let a former Super Bowl-winning coach dangle after refusing to extend his contract last year. Jerry Jones cited the Packers debacle as the primary reason he refused to do so. Connections to Bill Belichick emerged last year, but the Cowboys stayed the course with McCarthy. While it looked like Dallas would indeed not renew his contract, the rare NFL lame-duck HC generated some support and now looks to have a legitimate chance to stay. Then again, McCarthy may also be miffed by the Cowboys denying him a chance to talk to the Bears while still not giving him a new deal yet.
As of Sunday, Jones was indeed undecided on McCarthy. This, then, becomes a pivotal stretch of days. With in-person interviews with contracted coaches not permitted until after the divisional round, McCarthy would have an advantage if the Cowboys do not renew his contract by the 14th. He would be free to meet with any team at that point. Coaches tied to playoff teams that did not earn home-field advantage cannot start interviewing virtually until next week. In-person meetings cannot take place until Jan. 20, and even then, teams would be unable to meet with coaches on conference championship-bound teams.
The Bears have requested meetings with four former head coaches — Mike Vrabel, Arthur Smith, Brian Flores and Pete Carroll; the former Seahawks leader will meet with the team Thursday. McCarthy’s matter may well not be sorted out by then, but the ex-Green Bay HC’s path to Chicago is closed for the time being.
That’s a relief.
Mike, How’s Monday the 13th sound?
Read article, then comment… Mike, How’s Wednesday the 15th sound?
Confidence level that Jerry will understand that January 14 is one week away and will give McCarthy a new contract before that time? Zero.
Jerry probably assumes that the jobs McCarthy would be interested in will be filled by the 14th. Equally if not more likely, choice candidates will be gone by the 14th. Maybe he can get Gruden who’s now doing his best Mr. Know-ti-all impression.
If he gets impatient or frustrated, McCarthy can just ignore the Cowboys for a week & schedule his interview for the 15th.
Exactly. It would appear that McCarthy has more leverage than Jerry. Unless Jerry wants to open the guaranteed money vault for McCarthy, and soon.
Not sure which team looks worse here – Chicago for wanting McCarthy, or Dallas for not letting Chicago have McCarthy.
You buried the lead. What’s worse is that this could mean McCarthy will be back for 2 or 3 more years.
That would be pretty cold to block McCarthy from interviewing with other teams and then not signing him to a new contract. I’ve got to believe McCarthy will have a new Cowboys contract in the next couple of days.
They can only block him for one more week, so if they’re going to get a deal done, now would be the time.
Sounds like Chicago is trolling Jerry to get him to commit to another regretful contract. Good move to mess with an NFC opponent.
So, if Jerry does not pony up a new contract to McCarthy in a week, does McCarthy walk?
I am assuming that the Bears really like him for the job.
The Bears are interviewing everyone with a pulse. I assume their janitors are on that list.
I watched the press conference with Poles, Warren and McCasket yesterday. They’re like the Mgmt version of the Hail Mary in DC. If there’s a way to screw this up, Moe, Larry and Curly will do it. And yep, I’m a Bear fan..
Jerry and his kids just haven’t had time…he had to “rush” out and buy Stephen a new $250k sports car w all the accoutrements
He was distracted by the airing of his “Landman” episode. Let’s just say he was better in that role than his performance as GM of the Cowboys…
“A refusal is not the act of a friend” – Don Barzini
A truly remarkable quote from a movie masterpiece. Well done.