Bears HC candidate profile: Will Mike McCarthy leave Dallas for Chicago?

The Chicago Bears are searching for their next head coach, where general manager Ryan Poles will lead the charge in a wide-ranging search that will include up-and-coming coordinators, former head coaches and even a current head coach.

As the coaching carousel begins to take its spins around the league, there have been many names being connected to the Bears, including Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. The long-time coach is set to be a free agent, and the Bears are interested in an interview—but Dallas won't grant them one. Not until he officially becomes a free agent after January 14th.

The situation surrounding McCarthy is odd and is at least a week away from becoming clearer. Still, the Bears have interest, and the former Super Bowl champion is an intriguing candidate should he become available.

Background

• Current Job: Head coach, Dallas Cowboys (2020-present)

• Age: 61

• Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• College: Baker University

Experience

• Head coach, Dallas Cowboys (2020-present)

• Head coach, Green Bay Packers (2007-2018)

• Offensive coordinator, San Francisco 49ers (2005)

• Offensive coordinator, New Orleans Saints (2000-2004)

• Quarterbacks coach, Green Bay Packers (1999)

• Quarterbacks coach, Kansas City Chiefs (1995-1998)

• Offensive quality control coach, Kansas City Chiefs (1993-1994)

• Wide receivers coach, Pittsburgh (1992)

• Graduate assistant, Pittsburgh (1989-1991)

• Graduate assistant, Fort Hays State (1987-1988)

Fit with Bears

Many Bears fans are skeptical about bringing in McCarthy to oversee the team, despite being one of the most successful regular-season head coaches in recent memory. Since becoming a head coach with the Green Bay Packers in 2007, McCarthy has amassed a record of 174-112-2 in the regular season, earning more victories than John Harbaugh and Sean Payton. McCarthy's been to the postseason 12 times in 18 seasons, winning 11 games, including Super Bowl XLV. Green Bay had one of the best offenses in the league with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback under McCarthy, and he's had similar success in Dallas with Dak Prescott.

For as accomplished as McCarthy's resume looks, however, he often falls flat in big games and struggles with game management issues. He has just one playoff victory since 2017 and most recently was blown out by his former team despite being a heavy favorite during last year's Wild Card round. Many also believe McCarthy's early success was carried by Rodgers, who became one of the best quarterbacks in the league. McCarthy's offenses, while effective, aren't all that innovative, either.

They said it...

"I believe in [Mike McCarthy] wholeheartedly. I think he definitely deserves another contract and a chance to coach this team amongst, and I guess you could say, more influence on his terms, but I wholeheartedly believe in him. The guy has won a Super Bowl, I know Jerry [Jones] attested to that. There's not many guys or coaches who have done that and to have one who can do it from experience, and I know how valuable he's been for me." -- Cowboys QB Dak Prescott on Mike McCarthy via Yahoo Sports

Bottom line

McCarthy is arguably the most polarizing candidate the Bears have on their radar at the moment. Many fans don't want him anywhere near Caleb Williams and Halas Hall and are thrilled to see the Cowboys have initially blocked Chicago's request for an interview. The vitriol thrown his way, however, seems a bit much.

If the Bears hired McCarthy, he would instantly raise their floor, and you could expect a big jump from Williams. Rodgers and Prescott thrived under McCarthy, and there's no reason to think Williams can't either. The issue is that McCarthy has a ceiling, and we've seen it time and time again. He can win 12 games in the regular season, but his teams normally don't perform well in the postseason. In fact, McCarthy would rival Matt Eberflus in how his teams seem to lose playoff games.

Still, McCarthy would be a sizeable upgrade for this team, and his players swear by him. The problem is the Bears would be settling for a field goal instead of going for the touchdown with another hire. They could do worse, but if there's an opportunity for someone like Ben Johnson or Joe Brady, that's who they need to focus on. If they are unable to land either one, settling for McCarthy isn't the worst thing. Three is better than nothing.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears HC candidate profile: Will Mike McCarthy leave Dallas?