Arizona Cardinals, Mike McCarthy have mutual interest in coaching job

Dec. 24 (UPI) -- The Arizona Cardinals and former Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy have a mutual interest in joining forces.

Sources told NBC Sports that McCarthy likes Arizona and would be interested in exploring the possible coaching vacancy, while the Cardinals are also interested in the veteran coach.

Sources told ESPN some Packers assistants thought McCarthy might land in Arizona last year. League sources also told ESPN McCarthy has already been receiving overtures from NFL teams considering changes at head coach. McCarthy is also expected to draw interest from the Cleveland Browns.

The Packers fired McCarthy on Dec. 2, following a loss to the Cardinals. He posted a 125-77-2 record in 13 seasons with the Packers and led Green Bay to a win in Super Bowl XLV. The Packers were 10-8 in the postseason under McCarthy.

Current Cardinals coach Steve Wilks was hired in January, but is not expected back next season. The Cardinals own a 3-12 record entering Week 17 and rank last in point differential and yard differential. They own the worst rushing and passing attack in the NFL, while allowing the most rushing yards in the league.