Schefter: McCarthy 'Legitimate Candidate' for Bears, Saints HC After Cowboys Exit

ESPN's Adam Schefter believes former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is a "legitimate candidate" to coach either the Chicago Bears or New Orleans Saints in 2025.

"I think he's in play in New Orleans, I think he's been in play in Chicago. I think he's a legitimate candidate in both places," Schefter said Monday on the Pat McAfee Show.

Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reported the Saints are looking to set up an interview with McCarthy this week:

McCarthy coached the Cowboys for five seasons before he and the organization announced they would be parting ways last week. The Cowboys got off to a 3-4 start in 2024 before losing Dak Prescott to injury and eventually missing the postseason.

Schefter's comments follow reports that McCarthy is facing competition for the jobs in both Chicago and New Orleans.

The Bears announced last Wednesday the team had completed an interview with McCarthy. According to ESPN's Courtney Cronin, he was flown in to the interview on a private plane in "a departure from previous team protocol."

However, Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz added recently that the Bears' head coaching decision is "a two-horse race" between McCarthy and Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported last Tuesday the Saints are expected to interview McCarthy "early next week," although there was not yet a "firm date established."

NFL insider Josina Anderson wrote the same day that the Saints didn't "have urgent interest" in McCarthy, and described the upcoming talk as a "due diligence interview."

The Saints are meanwhile bringing in Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn for a second interview on Wednesday, according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer.

The Lions coordinators are reportedly also speaking with other teams after their team's upset elimination from the Divisional round last weekend. Whichever decision Johnson and Glenn make going forward could impact McCarthy's options for his next job.