Mike McCarthy is inching closer to free agency as the Dallas Cowboys enter Week 17 of the regular season.

McCarthy is coaching in the final year of his contract, and he could choose to leave for another NFL team once the 2024 regular season ends, as the 7-8 Cowboys have already been eliminated from the playoffs.

Many people around the league believe Dallas could bring back McCarthy on a one-year contract for 2025, as injuries to Micah Parsons earlier and the year and losing Dak Prescott in November pretty much ruined the Cowboys’ chances of making the playoffs.

The Chicago Bears could sign a Super Bowl-winning coach

“I think a fascinating choice though for Mike, and hopefully, he’s looking into this, would be the Chicago Bears,” Daniels said on FS1‘s The Facility on Tuesday. “Because you know that division, you have a rookie quarterback who you would say at the time, when he’s coming out, is more developed than Dak Prescott, a fourth-round pick was right?

“You have an old-school mentality, which is what the Chicago Bears need, and you don’t have to deal with a crazy owner. Now, I don’t think it’s going to happen, but there’s other teams out there that I can make a case for Mike going to, like I could imagine Mike McCarthy and Caleb Williams together. Like, it makes sense. So, it’s just crazy how it swung the pendulum swung sort of the power is back in Mike’s hands.”

People don’t realize that Mike McCarthy is actually a free agent & can sign anywhere…are we SURE he wants to go back to Dallas?

The Chicago Bears should be lurking around…it may sound crazy, but hear me out.

-Knows division well
-Develops QB almost better than anyone
-Leader pic.twitter.com/U5zLdYfBqh

— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) December 24, 2024

NFL fans react to Mike McCarthy rumors

Fans on social media had strong takes on McCarthy potentially going to the Bears.

“you’re the worst sports media figure in the city sports cape by a mile,” wrote a fan.

“No coach has done less with more than Mike McCarthy in NFL history. Not even Jeff Fisher. He needs to be done after Dallas. No more underachieving. Two most talented QBs in NFL history are Mahomes and Rodgers. He only got 1 Super Bowl with prime Rodgers. How many Mahomes has? 3,” posted another.

“Knowing the bears….he’s in play,” wrote a fan.

Ezoic

“He’d be an upgrade over over anything we’ve had since Lovie but I’d be severely underwhelmed if it happened,” posted another.

“McCarthy shouldn’t have a job anywhere near the NFL but it would be such a Bears thing to do,” wrote a fan.

“Got to remember who is in charge of that end of the organization. No matter how much you want to deny it that is probably the most realistic McCaskey decision if I ever seen one and trust me us Packers fans will be dying of laughter if that actually comes to fruition,” suggested another.