The Bears completed an interview with Mike McCarthy on Wednesday, the team announced. McCarthy had to wait until his exclusive negotiating window with the Cowboys expired at midnight Tuesday before he was free to talk to other teams. He also is expected to talk to the Saints.

Barry Switzer replaced Johnson, a Pro Football Hall of Fame coach, and won a Super Bowl in his second season but was fired two years later following a 6-10 season. Bill Parcells, another Hall of Famer, led the Cowboys to the playoffs twice in four seasons from 2003-06 but lost in the wild-card round both times. Maaddi reported from Tampa, Florida.