Bears Eye Pete Carroll After Mike McCarthy Interview Request Denied

The Chicago Bears have been denied an interview with Mike McCarthy and will now meet with former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll on Thursday.

The Chicago Bears' search for a new head coach has taken a dramatic turn, as they were rebuffed in their attempt to interview Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. The Bears had submitted a request to speak with McCarthy, 61, but the Cowboys swiftly denied their overture, forcing the Bears to pivot in their search.

Undeterred, the Bears have now set their sights on another esteemed coaching candidate: former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll. The 73-year-old Carroll, a Super Bowl-winning coach with a proven track record of success, is scheduled to meet with the Bears on Thursday. As the Bears continue their quest for the perfect candidate, Carroll's experience and accolades make him an intriguing option to lead the team.

Pete Carroll's illustrious coaching career is marked by numerous achievements, including his 14-season tenure with the Seattle Seahawks. During his time with the team, Carroll set a franchise record for most career wins with 137 victories. His crowning achievement came in 2014, when he led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship.

In addition to his NFL success, Carroll also enjoyed a remarkable stint as the head coach at the University of Southern California (USC). During his tenure, he won two national championships, cementing his status as one of the most accomplished coaches in football history. Carroll's impressive résumé makes him one of only three coaches to have won both a Super Bowl and a national championship in college football.

The Chicago Bears' search for a new head coach comes after the dismissal of Matt Eberflus, who was let go the day after Thanksgiving. Eberflus' departure followed a contentious loss to the Detroit Lions, in which he faced criticism for not calling a timeout that could have potentially set up a game-winning drive. The Bears ultimately finished the season with a 5-12 record, having struggled to find consistency under Eberflus' leadership.

The Dallas Cowboys concluded the season with a 7-10 record under the leadership of head coach Mike McCarthy. This marks a departure from the team's recent success, as McCarthy had previously guided the Cowboys to three consecutive 12-5 seasons from 2021 to 2023, following a 6-10 inaugural season in 2020.

Bears plan to interview former Seahawks HC Pete Carroll for their head coach job Thursday, per @DanGrazianoESPN and @JFowlerESPN pic.twitter.com/FbfvT9WDzs

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 8, 2025

Despite the lack of a Super Bowl appearance during his tenure, McCarthy has achieved notable success with the Cowboys, securing two NFC East division titles in 2021 and 2023. It appears that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is committed to retaining McCarthy's services, with the coach set to return to Dallas for the upcoming season and potentially beyond. McCarthy's current contract with the Cowboys is set to expire on January 8th, although the team retains exclusive negotiating rights until January 14th.