Mike McCarthy's Top NFL HC Landing Spots After Ben Johnson's Reported Bears Contract
The Chicago Bears wasted little time finding their next head coach, as ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that they're finalizing a deal to hire Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to the position on Monday.
Johnson's hiring came just a few hours after Schefter reported during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show that former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was "a legitimate candidate" for the Bears.
With Chicago now off the board for McCarthy, let's take a look at some of the top landing spots remaining for the 61-year-old.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints were the other team Schefter named as McCarthy being "in play" for this hiring cycle.
Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football also reported that the Saints are working to set up an in-person interview with McCarthy for this week, so it appears that there's significant interest from the franchise in hiring him.
McCarthy served as New Orleans' offensive coordinator under head coach Jim Haslett from 2000 to 2004, so it would be a homecoming if he wound up joining the team. The Saints offense set 10 team records and 25 individual records during his tenure.
While New Orleans has a big decision to make on whether to forge ahead with veteran quarterback Derek Carr or move on to 2024 fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler, hiring McCarthy would be a step in the right direction for a team that hasn't made the playoffs in the last four seasons.
Jacksonville Jaguars
If McCarthy is hoping to land with a ready-made offense that has most of its key pieces in place, he should look no further than the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With a talented core led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence, running back Travis Etienne Jr. and wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., the Jaguars are one of the most intriguing landing spots for prospective head coaches this offseason.
McCarthy is widely regarded as one of the best offensive minds in the NFL, so he will surely be able to bring out the best in Lawrence and company. Jacksonville missed the playoffs for the last two years despite hoping to establish itself as a top contender in the AFC, so adding a coach of McCarthy's caliber could put the team where it wants to be.
However, it should be noted that the Jaguars ranked 31st in the NFL with 389.9 yards allowed per game this past season, so McCarthy would have his work cut out for him to retool the team's defense if he's hired as head coach.
Las Vegas Raiders
While the Las Vegas Raiders present a challenge for any prospective head coach, McCarthy's experience could be exactly what they need to return to prominence.
The Raiders don't have their quarterback of the future lined up, and with the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, they likely won't be able to land one of the top prospects at the position without a trade.
Still, the bright lights of Las Vegas could be hard for McCarthy to ignore. With a new ownership structure in place that includes former legendary quarterback Tom Brady, the Raiders could be ready to take a big swing with their next hire.
Las Vegas ranked 27th in the NFL with 303.2 total yards per game this season, so McCarthy's presence would surely help improve the team's offense. 2024 No. 13 pick Brock Bowers established himself as one of the best tight ends in the league with 112 receptions for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns despite inconsistent quarterback play, so McCarthy would surely enjoy running the passing attack through the budding star.