Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has seemingly had a change of heart after denying the Chicago Bears permission to interview Mike McCarthy – mere days after he promised to honor the head coach’s request to speak with other teams.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Cowboys shot down the Bears’ request to discuss their vacant head coaching job with McCarthy. Although his contract expires on Wednesday, Dallas retains exclusive negotiating rights through January 14 – after which the 61-year-old is slated to become a coaching free agent.

The Cowboys’ blatant rejection comes as a bit of a surprise given Jones’ comments from earlier in the week. Speaking to reporters on the heels of Dallas’ 23-19 loss to the Washington Commanders, the 82-year-old promised to not interfere should McCarthy want to talk with other franchises about head coaching openings.

“Then I would say, ‘Go talk.’ I really would,” Jones said. Addressing the recent departure of running back Ezekiel Elliott – who was granted the opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl contender this season – he added: “Go talk. I just let [Elliott] do that. That’s not healthy to have somebody around that wants to be someplace else.”

By turning down the Bears’ interview bid, Jones seems to be reaffirming his belief in McCarthy. Rather than allow him to see what other opportunities are available, the Cowboys appear intent on extending the coach ahead of the January 14th deadline when other teams can swoop in.

When asked if he was considering bringing in a new coach following the Cowboys’ disappointing 2024-25 campaign in which they finished 7-10, Jones replied: “I don’t know that I am considering making a change.”

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Mike McCarthy has expressed a strong desire to return to the Dallas Cowboys

Mike McCarthy has expressed a strong desire to return to the Dallas Cowboys ( 

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McCarthy, meanwhile, has expressed a strong interest in returning to the Cowboys. Since joining the franchise in 2020 following 13 years with the Green Bay Packers, Dallas has gone 49-35 in the regular season – though boasts a meagre 1-3 record in the playoffs.

“I have a lot invested here. And the Cowboys have a lot invested in me,” McCarthy said on the heels of Sunday’s game. “And then there’s a personal side to all these decisions. They all point the right direction.

“I think anytime you invest your time, energy, your belief, the connection you have, the relationships that are in place here, the understanding of what the organization can do and is willing to do, those are all positive attributes that you take into account. But, you know, absolutely, I’m a builder. I believe in building programs. I believe in developing young players.

“So, at the end of day, it is about winning, and you have to have those components in place to get this thing where it needs to be. I think we have a very good foundation here.”