Coaching candidates begin to emerge – NBC Chicago

The Chicago Bears’ season ended just 24 hours ago, but the team has already requested interviews with a slew of head coaching candidates.

Reports from across the NFL indicate that the Bears are so far planning interviews with at least seven candidates for their head coaching position, with some of the biggest names available among those reportedly speaking to general manager Ryan Poles.

Here are some of the candidates the Bears have reportedly contacted.

Drew Petzing

On Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Bears had requested an interview with Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.

Petzing helped the Cardinals create one of the league’s best rushing attacks and oversaw the development of players like wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and tight end Trey McBride during his time in the desert.

Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Bears have also requested interviews with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

Per NFL rules, the Bears won’t be able to talk to either candidate until Wednesday at the earliest, but both are expected to be considered among the hottest candidates for head coaching jobs during this hiring cycle . Under Johnson, the Lions had the second-best offense in the NFL, averaging 409.5 yards per game, and they also had the second-best passing attack in the league, leading many to believe that Johnson could be the key to unlocking the potential of Caleb Williams.

Johnson is also reportedly interviewing for the New England Patriots head coaching job, according to Pelissero.

The Lions also had one of the best defenses in the league, holding teams to 20.1 points per game, good for seventh in the league, despite a rash of injuries that brought down some of the league’s biggest stars. ‘team.

Anthony Weaver

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Bears have also requested an interview with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.

The Dolphins have allowed 21.4 points per game this season, good for 11^th in the NFL and had one of the best pass defenses in the league, allowing 210.6 yards per game.

Vance Joseph

According to Michael Silver of The Athletic, the Bears have expressed interest in interviewing Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.

The New York Jets also reportedly requested permission to interview Joseph.

Joseph previously served as head coach of the Broncos for two seasons, but thrived under Sean Payton’s regime in the Mile High City. Denver’s defense ranked seventh in the NFL in allowing 317.1 yards per game, and it had the third-best defense in the league, allowing just 18.3 points per game this season.

Mike Vrabel

According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, the Bears will look to secure an interview with former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel.

Vrabel spent the 2024 season with the Cleveland Browns as a consultant and spent six years as head coach of the Titans, winning two division titles and leading the team to the AFC Championship Game in 2019 .

He will also likely be a strong candidate for the Patriots job, given his strong ties to the organization after a long playing career in New England.

Thomas Brown

Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown will get an interview with the team after winning his final game at the helm, general manager Ryan Pace told ESPN 1000 before Sunday’s game.

Brown began the season as the Bears’ passing game coordinator, but was promoted to offensive coordinator after the firing of Shane Waldron. He was then promoted to interim head coach after Matt Eberflus was fired in late November.

Todd Monken

According to Pelissero, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken may interview with the Bears for their head coaching position.

Needless to say, Monken’s reputation precedes him. The Ravens, led by MVP candidate Lamar Jackson, have the NFL’s best offense in 2024, averaging 424.9 yards per game. They were also one of two teams in the NFL to average over 30 points per game and also possessed the best rushing attack in the league, averaging 187.6 yards per game.

Mike McCarthy

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Bears contacted the Dallas Cowboys for permission to interview head coach Mike McCarthy for their head coaching position.

McCarthy is 49-35 in five seasons with the Cowboys. He also won a Super Bowl in 2010 with the Packers.

Brian Flores

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bears have requested an interview with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

Flores, who was previously head coach of the Miami Dolphins, oversaw one of the NFL’s best run defenses with the Vikings, who allowed 93.4 yards per game on the ground. They also ranked fifth in the league in points allowed per game, allowing 19.5 points per game.

Arthur Smith

Schefter also reported that the Bears requested an interview with Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

Smith, who was head coach of the Atlanta Falcons for three seasons before joining the Steelers, worked with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields during the 2024 season, helping Pittsburgh reach the playoffs. His offense was just outside the NFL’s top 10 in rushing yards per game.

Mike Kafka

Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will interview with the Bears for their head coaching position, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Kafka was born in Chicago and played football at St. Rita of Cascia before playing for the Northwest Wildcats. He previously worked with the Kansas City Chiefs before joining the Giants in 2022, serving as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach.

David Shaw

Rapoport reported Monday night that the Bears had requested an interview with Broncos executive David Shaw.

Shaw was the head coach at Stanford for 12 seasons, posting a 96-54 record during his time with the Cardinal. He led his team to eight consecutive bowl berths, including two Rose Bowl victories in 2012 and 2015.

Shaw also has experience playing various positions in the NFL with the Raiders, Ravens and Chargers, among other teams.