About a week ago, the Chicago Bears coaching search reached another level of intriguing.
In the midst of interviewing any and every possible candidate (at least that's how it's seemed), the Bears immediately got involved with Mike McCarthy once he was done with the Dallas Cowboys. Chicago did, indeed, interview the former Cowboys and Packers head coach.
One harsh fact seems to be going relatively unnoticed by Bears fans duringn this process with McCarthy. Those who have discussed the idea of McCarthy coaching the Bears have seemingly ignored the biggest aspect of his coaching free agency thus far.
How many teams has McCarthy interviewed with since the Cowboys let him go?
Answer: one.
It sounds crazy at first, because we've seen McCarthy linked to teams like the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets as sensible landing spots. However, neither team has actually reached out and interviewed him.
Sports Illustrated's NFL insider Albert Breer pointed out the significance of this fact in his most recent column, and it should not go unnoticed.
Mike McCarthy clearly wants to end up coaching the Chicago Bears
"That McCarthy has only interviewed with the Bears has gotten my attention. Some are taking it as a signal on where he’d like to land," Breer wrote.
Sure, the Bears have interviewed a multitude of candidates so far and there appear to be other favorites. Specifically, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is atop that list and still a realistic possibility.
More Bears news:
But, the fact that McCarthy has only interviewed with the Bears seems way too much like he's sending a message to George McCaskey and company.
McCarthy is an experienced and polished head coach with a lengthy résumé. However, he definitely has his obvious shortcomings when it comes to game management and decision making. There are clear red flags some fans are concerned over.
But, McCarthy is apparently making a push to land this job in Chicago. Why else would he not have interviewed with other teams? It's been a week since he became a free agent. Surely, there has been more than enough time for other interviews.
Instead, the veteran head coach looks like he's sending an obvious message to Ryan Poles, Kevin Warren and McCaskey. He wants this job. There's no other way to explain it. Breer is absolutely onto something here, and it's something we should be talking a lot more about.
Do not be surprised if McCarthy is hired as the Bears' next head coach in the coming days. Whether or not you view it as a positive, prepare for the news, now.