With six days to go in the exclusive negotiating window, all eyes are on what the Dallas Cowboys decide on Mike McCarthy’s future. He coached this season in the final year of his contract, and the spotlight grew even bigger after the franchise denied the Chicago Bears’ request to interview him for their head coach position.

Dallas isn’t ready to relinquish their rights to their head coach, but it doesn’t have to mean he’s returning in 2025.

On Monday, the Bears did log that interview request, and it’s typical that a team will reply quickly. Because McCarthy’s contract is not up quite year, he is not free to chat with the Chicagoans at his leisure–he needs the team’s permission.