Jan 5, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA;  Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy looks on during the first half against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Reports: Bears request to interview Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy

While Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy waits on his future with the team as his contract nears expiration, he could have another suitor in the Chicago Bears, according to multiple reports on Monday.

The Bears, who have a head coaching vacancy, have made formal requests to interview a list of current NFL assistants and one employed head coach in McCarthy, reports said.

ESPN reported that the Cowboys have yet to respond to the request for McCarthy, who completed his fifth season at the helm with Dallas missing the playoffs at 7-10. He is 49-35 in the regular season and 1-3 in the postseason.

His contract expires Wednesday with the Cowboys having exclusive negotiating rights through Jan. 14, ESPN reported.

McCarthy, 61, said he wants to return to Dallas while owner Jerry Jones has not committed to retaining him.

“I don’t know that I am considering making a change is really what I’m trying to say,” Jones said Sunday after the season finale, a home loss to the Washington Commanders. “Mike’s one of the best coaches that I think there is. He was made the coach here because I thought that, and he’s done absolutely nothing to diminish my opinion of him as a coach.”

McCarthy said he has a lot invested in the Cowboys, and the organization has a lot invested in him.

“And then there’s a personal side to all these decisions,” McCarthy said after Sunday’s game. “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,” he continued. “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.”

McCarthy was head coach of the Green Bay Packers for nearly 13 full seasons (2006-18), getting fired after Week 13 in 2018. His Packers were 125-77-2 in the regular season and 10-8 in the postseason, including six division titles and the Super Bowl championship in the 2010 season.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) kicks a 51-yard game-winning field against the Green Bay Packers during their football game Sunday, January 5, 2025 at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Bears end pair of losing streaks with last-second FG vs. Packers

Cairo Santos drilled a 51-yard field goal on the final play of the season finale as the Chicago Bears broke a 10-game losing streak by edging the host Green Bay Packers 24-22 on Sunday afternoon.

The Bears’ win also snapped the longest active winning streak by a team over one opponent. Chicago had lost 11 in a row to Green Bay.

Caleb Williams moved the Bears (5-12) 47 yards to set up Santos’ heroics after Brandon McManus’ third field goal, a 55-yarder, had given Green Bay (11-6) a 22-21 lead with 54 seconds remaining.

Williams went 21 of 29 for 148 yards and a touchdown to DJ Moore, who caught nine passes for 86 yards — including an 18-yarder in the final 15 seconds before the game-winner.

Though they finished with a fourth straight losing record, the Bears won to prevent a team-record 11th consecutive loss in a single season and were victorious for the first time on the road (1-7).

Packers quarterback Jordan Love went 7 for 12 for 69 yards but left in the Packers’ fifth series with a right elbow injury and did not return.

Three plays earlier, Green Bay lost wide receiver Christian Watson, who was carted off the field with a right knee injury.

Malik Willis relieved Love and was 10 of 13 for 136 yards as Green Bay ended the season with consecutive losses.

Pro Bowler Josh Jacobs notched his eighth straight game with a rushing score, breaking Paul Hornung’s team record of seven set in 1960.

On a harmless punt seemingly headed inside the Chicago 10, returner Moore moved way to his left as if fielding the ball near that boundary. Yet the ball actually went far to the right and away from the coverage team, and Josh Blackwell caught it and dashed untouched 94 yards at 6:34.

Love helped the Packers answer by taking them 52 yards. McManus connected on a 37-yard field goal at 2:24.

Cornerback Jonathan Owens’ fumble recovery set up Chicago’s next score, a 4-yard run by D’Andre Swift for a 14-3 lead with 14:17 before halftime.

Jacobs’ record-setting run from 9 yards made it 14-10 at 11:12, and McManus made it 14-13 at the half with a 30-yard kick.

In the fourth, Williams found Moore for a 32-yard catch-and-run with 10:02 remaining for a 21-13 Chicago lead, but Green Bay’s Emanuel Wilson rambled 21 yards at 4:28 in response. Willis’ two-point pass was knocked down.

–Field Level Media

Nov 3, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Chicago Bears guard Teven Jenkins (76) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Bears OG Teven Jenkins (ankle) out, DE Montez Sweat (ankle) questionable vs. Pack

Chicago Bears left guard Teven Jenkins has been ruled out for Sunday against the Green Bay Packers because of an ankle injury, while defensive end Montez Sweat is questionable due to an ankle issue.

The Bears also said rookie offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie (calf) will not play after he, like Jenkins, missed practice all week. Amegadjie has played as a reserve in four games for Chicago (4-5).

It wasn’t all bad news for Chicago’s offensive line, as starting tackles Braxton Jones (knee) and Darnell Wright (knee), who both were limited at practice Wednesday and Thursday, were full participants Friday and are expected to play Sunday.

“It’s huge,” Bears coach Matt Eberflus said Friday of Jones and Wright. “Those guys have a lot of experience. The continuity is there. Working with each other, next to each other, is there. I think it’s important you have that. Those guys have played well.”

Jones has not played since Oct. 27 after seven starts, while Wright last played on Nov. 3 and has eight starts.

Defensive back Tarvarius Moore (concussion) was listed as questionable after his progression from not practicing on Wednesday to limited on Thursday and a full participant on Friday.

Jenkins, 26, has not practiced all week. He has started all nine games this season for the Bears, who selected him in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has started 33 of 40 games in his career.

Sweat, 28, missed practice on Wednesday and was limited on Thursday before a full session on Friday.

He made the Pro Bowl last season after the Washington Commanders traded him to the Bears for a 2024 second-round pick. He has started all eight games he has played this season and has 16 tackles, 3.5 sacks, five tackles for loss and one forced fumble.

For his career, Sweat has 238 tackles, 45 sacks, 56 tackles for loss, one interception — returned for a touchdown — and 11 forced fumbles in 84 games (all starts) for Washington (2019-23) and Chicago.

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. (91) sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

Patriots sack Caleb Williams 9 times, stifle Bears

Deatrich Wise Jr. and Anfernee Jennings each had a pair of sacks as the New England Patriots buckled down defensively to beat the host Chicago Bears 19-3 on Sunday afternoon.

New England (3-7) had nine sacks in all and held the Bears to 142 yards of total offense. Chicago was forced to punt on eight of its first nine drives of the game, then turned the ball over on downs when it had possession for a 10th time.

The hosts had one last chance to make something happen, but they also failed to move the chains on fourth down on their final drive.

Drake Maye didn’t have to do much under center for the Patriots, completing 15 of 25 passes for 184 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Austin Hooper hauled in three catches for 64 yards.

Rhamondre Stevenson headlined the rushing attack for the visitors, going for 74 yards on 20 touches.

Caleb Williams was under constant duress and finished with 120 yards on 16-of-30 passing for the Bears (4-5), who have dropped three straight games. D’Andre Swift rushed for 59 yards on 16 carries.

Maye put New England in front for good when he found Ja’Lynn Polk for a 2-yard TD with 1:46 left in the second quarter to make it 10-3.

Joey Slye booted a 37-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to send the Patriots into the break up by 10.

Slye added fourth-quarter field goals from 25 and 33 yards out to put the finishing touches on the victory.

New England opened the scoring with 6:19 to go in the first quarter, getting a 30-yard field goal from Slye.

Chicago finally responded at the 7:17 mark of the second quarter, as Cairo Santos made good on a 33-yard field goal to provide the Bears with their only points of the afternoon.

The Patriots stopped Chicago on 13 of 14 third-down tries for the game.

–Field Level Media

Jul 25, 2022; Pittsford, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Ryan Bates (71) on the field during training camp at St. John Fisher University. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Bears place G Ryan Bates (shoulder/elbow) on injured reserve

The Chicago Bears placed right guard Ryan Bates on the injured list on Saturday because of shoulder and elbow issues. He will miss at least the next four games, beginning with Sunday night’s contest against the host Houston Texans.

Bates, 27, was on the field for 38 offensive snaps, playing the majority of the time while rotating with starting right guard Nate Davis (18 snaps), in the 24-17 home victory over the Tennessee Titans last Sunday.

Bates played for the Buffalo Bills from 2019-23, appearing in 73 regular-season games (19 starts) and nine playoff games (four starts). He was traded to the Bears on March 13 for a 2024 fifth-round draft pick.

Chicago also signed long snapper Scott Daly from the practice squad and elevated receiver Collin Johnson from the practice squad on Saturday. Daly played against the Titans in place of the injured Patrick Scales, who is recovering from back surgery.

Receivers Keenan Allen (heel) and Rome Odunze (knee) are listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

–Field Level Media

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) is pressured by Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry III (58) during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Bears, rookie QB Caleb Williams face gold standard in Texans’ C.J. Stroud

Early during his Wednesday presser, Bears coach Matt Eberflus was asked how the historic production Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud enjoyed as a rookie last season could be used as a template for Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, whose debut last Sunday against the Tennessee Titans could reasonably be described as inauspicious.

Eberflus adroitly sidestepped making a comparison that would only add to the already enormous expectations resting on Williams’ shoulders. While Stroud crafted one of the greatest seasons for a rookie quarterback in NFL history, Williams struggled in his first career start and relied on the Bears’ exceptional defense and special teams to steer the way to a 24-17 home win over the Tennessee Titans.

The Texans (1-0) will host the Bears (1-0) in a showdown on Sunday highlighting the standard Williams is charged with meeting. Stroud thrived in a 29-27 road victory over the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, passing for 234 yards and two touchdowns with a 115.9 rating.

Williams, conversely, averaged 3.2 yards per attempt, threw for only 93 yards, posted a 55.7 rating and helmed an offense that didn’t score a touchdown. His handling of a middling performance struck Eberflus.

“He’s been really good,” Eberflus said. “Him and I watched the plays Monday morning. He comes into my office and was really good there. He’s really good with the players owning up to everything and taking responsibility for performance and accountability. That’s what you need from leaders on the football team, not just him.

“And then moving forward to coming in (Wednesday) morning and figuring out what we’re doing, how we’re doing it and having conversations with him. I think he’s in a good spot.”

The Bears were buoyed by a pair of touchdown returns, including a 43-yard interception return by cornerback Tyrique Stevenson with 7:35 left in regulation that sealed the win. Chicago sacked Titans quarterback Will Levis three times, picked him off twice and limited Levis to 4.0 yards per attempt.

The Bears might need another stifling performance against the Texans, not only to cover Williams as he develops but to help a Chicago offense that had a pair of receivers — Keenan Allen (heel) and Rome Odunze (MCL strain) — sidelined for practice on Wednesday.

Wins can mask warts. But Williams acknowledged that ample work remains for the offense.

“We’re here getting better,” Williams said. “Just getting back out here making sure we’re focused on the small things, the details. Whether it’s myself of footwork, drops … or whether it’s the routes, whether it’s the run game, hand placement, all these other things when blocking to make sure as an offense we’re successful.”

The Texans had no such problems offensively. Houston seamlessly inserted veteran newcomers Stefon Diggs (two touchdown catches) and Joe Mixon (30 carries, 159 yards and a touchdown) into their potent mix, with Mixon earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts.

Stroud was sacked four times but did not commit a turnover and was in complete control even under duress, finding Nico Collins (six catches, 117 yards) when the moment was dire.

In the aftermath of its win, Houston had reason to be optimistic that more can be unlocked.

“I think watching the film from last week, there’s definitely a lot of play left on the field,” Stroud said. “We can clean up a lot of things. So, yeah, I definitely think that we barely showed what we’ve got. But it’s kind of cool because we still did kind of play pretty good once we stopped shooting ourselves in the foot.

“The plays that we ran good looked great. But the ones that we just barely missed on, it was just the little, little, small things. If we clean those up, man, I think we would’ve had a way better day, but definitely great to learn in a win.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 10, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Bears rookie WR Rome Odunze to have MRI on knee

Chicago Bears rookie receiver Rome Odunze is awaiting MRI results on his knee, coach Matt Eberflus confirmed Monday.

Eberflus said the injury occurred while Odunze was engaged in a blocking assignment.

“We’ll see,” the coach told reporters. “I don’t have enough information yet.”

Odunze, the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, caught one pass for 11 yards on Sunday in Chicago’s season-opening 24-17 win against the Tennessee Titans.

His second-quarter reception was one for the highlight reel, as Odunze leaped to snag a ball that had bounced off a defender’s helmet. Odunze fumbled after the reception but it was recovered by teammate Teven Jenkins, setting up a Cairo Santos field goal for a 17-3 halftime lead.

Odunze, 22, caught 92 passes for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns in 15 games in his final season at the University of Washington in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Oct 22, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; A general view of a logo painted on the sideline to honor the memory of former Chicago Bear and Hall of Famer Dick Butkus before a game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Bears lay out controversial $5B stadium proposal

The Chicago Bears are looking to build a new stadium, and they need nearly $5 billion to do so — but not everyone is in favor of the plan.

Chicago released a proposal for a domed stadium on Wednesday, with $3.2 billion earmarked for the stadium itself and another $1.5 billion for infrastructure.

The team announced that it would put more than $2 billion toward the stadium project. According to the Chicago Tribune, to make up the rest, the Bears would seek $300 million from the NFL and would ask the state of Illinois to borrow $900 million, which would be paid back by Chicago’s 2 percent hotel tax.

The plan didn’t sit well with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“I remain skeptical about this proposal, and I wonder whether it’s a good deal for the taxpayers,” Pritzker said. “There are a lot of priorities that the state has, and I’m not sure that this is among the highest priorities for taxpayers.”

Non-profit group Friends of the Parks, which focuses on Chicago’s Lakefront Protection ordinance, also criticized the plan, writing in a statement, “As is so often the case in Chicago, the powerful and wealthy are demanding that our entire city stop and fast track their plans to expand operations on the people’s lakefront.”

However, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson attended the Bears’ press conference announcing the proposal, which he called a “crown jewel.” He added, “This project will result in no new taxes on the residents of Chicago.”

The Bears’ new home would be located on the edge of Lake Michigan — just like Soldier Field, Chicago’s current stadium — and would add green and open space to the city’s lakefront while also providing better access to the Museum Campus.

“This is an incredibly, incredibly special day for the Chicago Bears,” Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren said in a statement on Wednesday. “For the City of Chicago, for the state of Illinois, for our ownership, for our players, for our coaches, for our staff members, for the alumni and for our incredible Chicago Bear fans.

“Today is about progress, and one of the things that I am most excited about today is the fact that this shows that in this city we have the intellectual capabilities, we have the heart, we have the passion, we have the foresight, we have the wisdom, we have the vision to do big things.”

In addition to 14 acres of athletic fields for youth sports programs and park space for the general public, there could also be a publicly owned hotel near the site of the new stadium.

Fans would get to experience attractions indoors and outdoors, and there would also be a plaza that features restaurants and retail stores.

“This is not an easy project, but Chicago doesn’t like it easy,” Warren said.

–Field Level Media

Aug 26, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) scrambles against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Bears offseason primer: QB question dominates planning

Chicago Bears
2023 record: 7-10
Projected salary cap space: $82.9 million

Offseason storylines: Maybe you’ve heard about the decision facing Chicago at quarterback? Keeping Justin Fields for one more season – plus a fifth-year option available for next year – at $1.6 million and loading up the roster around him might excite part of the fan base. Starting over, with Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye, also restarts the roster-building clock in that the Bears would have a QB1 at a total of up to $50 million for four years. Fields is undeniably a scintillating athlete but he hasn’t emphatically answered whether he’s a franchise quarterback three seasons into his pro career. The Bears were 27th in the NFL in passing and 20th in total offense last season.

Team Needs: DE, WR, FS, OL, TE
Top free agent: CB Jaylon Johnson – There’s still time to work out a deal both sides applaud but Johnson appears headed for the franchise tag, which pays cornerbacks $19.8 million on a one-year tender unless the two sides agree to a long-term extension by mid-July. Johnson wants to be one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the league, and GM Ryan Poles dodges market-setting pacts as a matter of course.

Unrestricted free agents (as of March 11):
LB Dylan Cole
OG Dan Feeney
RB D’Onta Foreman
DE Rasheem Green
CB Jaylon Johnson
DT Justin Jones
TE Marcedes Lewis
WR Darnell Mooney
DE Yannick Ngakoue
OG Lucas Patrick
QB Nathan Peterman
LS Patrick Scales
WR Equanimeous St. Brown
WR Trent Taylor
TE Robert Tonyan Jr.

Exclusive Rights free agents:
DB Josh Blackwell
WR Joe Reed

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus on the sidelines against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Bears retain Matt Eberflus, fire OC Luke Getsy

Head coach Matt Eberflus was retained for the 2024 season but his offensive coaching staff is getting a facelift, per multiple reports Wednesday.

Eberflus, 10-24 since being hired to replace Matt Nagy, parted with offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko. He’s also been operating without a defensive coordinator since Alan Williams resigned in September.

Hiring coordinators could be tricky for Eberflus because he has only two years remaining on his original four-year contract.

Eberflus called defensive plays for the balance of the season and Chicago ranked in the top six in most major categories over the final 10 games of the season.

Under Getsy, the Bears finished 28th in total offense in 2022 and 20th in 2023.

The change also factors into the quarterback situation. Justin Fields would be learning yet another offense in what sets up as a possible make-or-break year.

Speculation about Fields’ future is rampant. The Bears have the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft and general manager Ryan Poles said before last year’s draft, when he swapped the No. 1 pick to the Carolina Panthers for two first-rounders and wide receiver DJ Moore, that this year’s first-round pick was important in the trade because it could be used on a franchise quarterback.

–Field Level Media