The Chicago Bears are in the thick of their search for a new head coach, and there's an intriguing candidate that's emerged: Mike McCarthy, who's parting ways with the Dallas Cowboys after his contract expires. The Bears and New Orleans Saints are expected to show interest.

The former Cowboys coach is set to interview with the Chicago Bears for their head coach opening on Wednesday, a person with knowledge of Chicago’s thinking told The Dallas Morning News. The Cowboys’ exclusive negotiating window with McCarthy ends Tuesday at midnight.

The mutual decision to move on leaves McCarthy available for the Bears. But also adds one more coaching vacancy that ramps up the competition for coaches in this cycle.