None of the other teams that have head coach openings seem to be as interested in Mike McCarthy as the Chicago Bears.

Mike McCarthy has a ton of the right experience that it would take to lead the Bears and quarterback Caleb Williams into the future.

McCarthy was the second in-person interview conducted by the Bears, with former Commanders coach Ron Rivera also getting a look from the Chicago front office. Chicago has met virtually with Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn, Pete Carroll, and Mike Kafka ...

The 12th-winningest head coach in NFL history will reportedly spend 2025 focusing on the 2026 hiring cycle. It’s a tactic he’s used before.

So “Big Mike” lieutenant Brian Schottenheimer is the new Cowboys coach … while McCarthy is left sitting out a year until he gets another crack on the NFL Coach Carousel.

Former #Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy has decided to focus on the 2026 hiring cycle and will not coach in the NFL this season, sources tell me and @RapSheet. McCarthy, who has made the playoffs 12 times in 18 seasons, is expected to be a strong candidate a year from now. pic.twitter.com/Vr8mMijIkq

Kliff Kingsbury will remain the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator despite interest from the New Orleans Saints and other teams during this head-coaching cycle, according to multiple reports. Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy will also not be the Saints’ new head coach this season, according to multiple reports.

Stability can be gained by adding experience. Similar to 2015, the Bears’ search feels purposeful after the team failed with Eberflus, who lacked previous head coaching experience. In 2022, the Bears chose Eberflus over Dan Quinn and Jim Caldwell, their two other finalists, both of whom had been head coaches.

The New Orleans Saints are the final remaining team to have a head coaching vacancy, and they know at least one name that won't be on their sideline in 2025. Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy removed his name from consideration and will be focusing on the 2026 head coaching cycle, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

After a 5-12, last-place season that included 10 consecutive losses and the in-season firings of coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, the Chicago Bears are now embarking on a search to hire the franchise’s next head coach.

So what was the sticking point as the Cowboys’ Jerry Jones and coach Mike Fisher mutually agreed to part ways?