Bears Interview With Mike McCarthy Reportedly Didn’t Go As Planned

Just one day after head coach Mike McCarthy became a free agent, leaving his post with the Dallas Cowboys, he was in Wheeling, Illinois, to meet with the Chicago Bears. The organization brought him in on a private jet, put him into nice accommodations, and treated him to dinner. It was a far cry from the treatment they’ve given coaches in the past, confirming the belief that they had revamped their approach. It led many to wonder if the team was serious about making him their top priority for the head coaching position.

Marc Silverman of ESPN 1000 revealed that, contrary to widespread speculation, McCarthy requested the interview be in person. Up until then, almost every Bears meeting had been virtual, which downplayed the idea that Chicago was somehow enamored with the head coach. Things took another interesting direction when a source informed SM that the interview didn’t last as long as anticipated. Expectations were that it would take somewhere around five to six hours. Apparently, it “didn’t come close” to that.

One of two possibilities exists with Mike McCarthy.

The first is that he made such a strong impression that the Bears felt there was no need to let the interview play out longer than necessary. He checked every box. Now, the team simply has to satisfy the Rooney Rule in the next few days, and they can make the hire. The second is that McCarthy didn’t come across with the right message or plan the Bears brass were hoping for. It became clear he was only there to get another job and hadn’t done much homework on what he’d be facing in Chicago. He leaned on his reputation and expected that to be enough.

It isn’t clear what happened at this point. Yet it never feels like a good sign that an interview ends before it’s expected to. Chicago reported that the interview was completed yesterday at around 7:00 p.m. That is right in the middle of dinner time, despite reports they planned to wine and dine him. The source said it never really got that far. Again, one must not let speculation get out of control. Sometimes, meetings don’t need to last long. Still, it is hard not to feel like Mike McCarthy wasn’t well-prepared for this.