Chicago Bears: Local media getting fan base primed for Mike McCarthy

Former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, Mike McCarthy, completed his first interview with the Chicago Bears on Wednesday.

The Bears wasted no time giving the winner of Super Bowl XLV a virtual interview. General manager Ryan Pace and CEO Kevin Warren met with McCarthy in person at Halas Hall.

The Chicago Bears had an “interesting” meeting

On ESPN‘s “Get Up” broadcast Thursday, Adam Schefter called the idea of McCarthy joining the Bears “interesting.”

“Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was in Halas Hall yesterday,” Schefter said. “Just the idea of that seems so interesting. He met with Bears officials throughout the day yesterday, going through his first head coaching interview. He also is expected to speak at some point with the New Orleans Saints, but the Bears spent Wednesday with the former Cowboys head coach.”

The sobering reality this weekend seems to be that the Bears are losing out on the top two candidates in this coaching cycle. Mike Vrabel signed with the New England Patriots. Ben Johnson is inching closer to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Chicago media has been pumping out Mike McCarthy content

Bears fans and local media mocked the idea of McCarthy potentially joining Chicago. But in the last couple of days, local media has started to accept the fate that he could be the team’s best option.

Ben Johnson still is the home run hire, but who are the Bears to scoff at Mike McCarthy? @WaddleandSilvy writes https://t.co/9FrQPlvITq

— Bears Insider (@bears_insider) January 16, 2025

.@BernsyHarris examine #Bears head coach candidate Mike McCarthy’s level of success compared to #Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin’s level of successs.

🎧 https://t.co/6JOLSzmHQG
💻 https://t.co/gmrgjmKSzf pic.twitter.com/TasU3eHjeC

— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) January 16, 2025

Mike McCarthy is interviewing with the Bears today. Here’s why you should be taking him seriously as a candidate:https://t.co/8aQ9Kowgrf pic.twitter.com/ISlS53Ej4k

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) January 15, 2025

To be clear, I’m just having fun here, but I would expect Mike McCarthy to be a finalist in Chicago (assuming they have about 5). https://t.co/g2PG7olmxP

— Bill Zimmerman (@BillTZimmerman) January 13, 2025

Have to say the “hiring McCarthy means your ceiling is 10-7” criticism is astounding to me. The Bears have won 10 games only SIX times since the turn of this century. A few 10-win seasons in a row would be lovely!

— DaBearsBlog (@dabearsblog) January 16, 2025

It’s still early in the interview process. The Bears cannot interview Johnson again until the Lions are eliminated from the postseason.

However, McCarthy and Pete Carroll aren’t guaranteed to be around when Detroit’s season is over. There’s a real possibility the Bears could decide to pull the trigger on McCarthy or another available candidate if they believe Johnson’s camp is headed in another direction.

For now, Chicago media is beginning to realize McCarthy might be the Bears’ best option.

God help us all.

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