Mike McCarthy moves toward free agency

Last week, the Cowboys refused to let the Bears talk to coach Mike McCarthy. Starting tomorrow, the Bears – and everyone else – can talk to him.

McCarthy’s contract expires on Tuesday. At that point, he becomes a free agent.

Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports no negotiations have taken place between McCarthy and the Cowboys. It’s strange to say the least. The Cowboys had an exclusive window and they didn’t use it?

It’s possible there have been no negotiations because the Cowboys have made McCarthy a non-negotiable offer. Take it or leave it. If so, it’s up to McCarthy’s agent, Don Yee, to make the Cowboys nervous about what might happen next.

Schefter also reports that the Bears and Saints (who did not request permission to interview McCarthy last week) are expected to be interested in McCarthy if his contract expires.

And if the Cowboys have indeed made an offer to McCarthy with the message that there will be no negotiations until the current deal expires, both sides will have a decision to make. McCarthy will have to decide whether to accept the pending offer or risk ending up with nothing. And the Cowboys will have to decide whether to sweeten the deal to make McCarthy stay.

It’s possible the Cowboys will come around after McCarthy becomes a free agent. It’s possible McCarthy will too if/when he realizes there’s no other destination for him.

It is also possible that one or the other side wakes up a little too late.