Is NFL Coach Poaching Back? McCarthy, O’Connell Draw Interest

As the NFL’s next hiring cycle keeps heating up, a new, fairly unique trend has emerged: Teams are targeting their competitors’ head coaches.

Most notably so far, the Bears have requested permission to interview Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, sources told ESPN. McCarthy’s contract, a five-year deal he signed in 2020, expires Wednesday, but the Cowboys hold exclusive negotiating rights through Jan. 14, per ESPN, before the coach would be free to pursue another opportunity.

On Sunday night, Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones told reporters he didn’t have immediate plans to make a coaching change, but also welcomed McCarthy testing the market, if he wanted to. “I would say, ‘Go talk.’ I really would,” Jones said. However, as of Tuesday afternoon, the Cowboys have not responded to Chicago’s request, according to ESPN.

Multiple teams have shown interest in trading for Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, Fox Sports reported Sunday. O’Connell has one year remaining on the four-year contract that he signed in 2022. However, O’Connell threw cold water on that idea Monday. “This is where I want to be,” he said when he met with local media.

One more team that will be looking to fill a vacancy is Las Vegas. The Raiders fired head coach Antonio Pierce on Tuesday after one season, according to ESPN. That makes six teams looking for head coaches, including the Bears, Jaguars, Jets, Patriots, and Saints.

History Lesson

Sean Payton is the most recent NFL coach to be traded. The Broncos acquired his rights from the Saints in 2023, sending over a first- and second-round draft pick while receiving a third-round selection. Payton retired after the 2021 season, and took the 2022 season off, but was still under contract with New Orleans.

The Buccaneers sent a sixth-round pick to the Cardinals for the rights to Bruce Arians, who was retired, in 2019, and the Chiefs gave the Jets a fourth-round selection for Herm Edwards, who had two years remaining on his contract.

In 2002, the Bucs famously sent two first-round and two second-round picks, plus $8 million, to the Raiders for Jon Gruden, who led Tampa Bay to a Lombardi Trophy in his first season. In 2000, the Patriots gave the Jets three draft picks for Bill Belichick, who never coached a game for New York.