The Cowboys previously denied the Bears' request to interview McCarthy for their head coaching vacancy. Now that the two sides have failed to lock down a new contract, McCarthy will end up getting the opportunity to interview with Chicago.

Last week, the Chicago Bears put in a request to interview former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. The Cowboys denied the request, but McCarthy is free to interview with the team after Dallas chose to let the 61-year-old walk into free agency on Monday.

The Chicago Bears announced a long list of candidates to fill their head coaching vacancy. Then there was another name added that is familiar to fans. Ron Rivera is a proven head coach with success who also has ties to the team’s glory days.

The Bears coaching search rumbles into the second week with almost 20 candidates up for the job. The latest: Mike Vrabel's name is off the list, choosing instead to go back to New England to coach the Patriots.

The Chicago Bears have been searching for the answer for years. Whether the position is quarterback or head coach, they have been looking for a return to glory that would give them an opportunity to win their first Super Bowl since the 1985 season.