The Bears interviewed 17 head teaching candidates over the previous two weeks, sufficient to subject two baseball groups with an all-time pitcher.
That is the week issues get critical. The Bears will whittle down their exhaustive and exhausting candidate record — one which included Tremendous Bowl champions, a lower-division school head coach and every thing in between — and will make their choice by the top of the week, if not sooner.
The Bears covet Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who spent Sunday serving to to conduct exit interviews within the wake of his workforce’s upset loss to the Commanders. They’re not the one ones intrigued by him, although, and should transfer decisively.
Former Packers and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy is a robust possibility if Johnson goes elsewhere or decides to remain in Detroit. The Bears flew McCarthy to Halas Corridor on a personal jet final week, a luxurious not afforded another candidates who had been eligible to satisfy in particular person. His mixture of head coach expertise and play-calling acumen would match the Bears’ need to construct round quarterback Caleb Williams.
Beginning Monday, the Bears can meet in particular person with any candidate whose season is over, together with Johnson. All however one of many Bears’ digital interview topics has seen their season finish.
The Bears could make a job supply immediately, too, after satisfying the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which requires that groups interview two minority candidates in particular person. One week after interviewing former Bear Ron Rivera, the Bears met with Tennessee State coach Eddie George on Sunday. George, who had a two-week stint because the Bears’ Invoice Walsh Fellow in Might 2023, is a longshot to get the job.
The Bears, Raiders and Jaguars interviewed Johnson just about the week after the common season ended, and the Cowboys can attain out now. He’ll have his selection of jobs — specifically in Las Vegas, the place the Raiders can supply him a personalized front-office setup. In contrast to the Bears and Jaguars, the Raiders have a basic supervisor emptiness. If Johnson prioritizes alignment along with his GM, the simplest strategy to obtain it’s to have a hand in hiring that particular person.
Sunday, the Raiders took one step towards that very situation taking place. Per ESPN, they interviewed Commanders assistant GM Lance Newmark. He spent 26 seasons in Detroit earlier than this season, most just lately as a senior participant personnel director, and is shut with Johnson. Half-owner Tom Brady, who has been concerned in Johnson’s recruitment, was a part of the GM interview.
The Bears don’t have the same GM opening, however they do have a quarterback to construct on in Caleb Williams. The Jaguars boast quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who’s intriguing however costly. The Raiders, in the meantime, maintain the sixth choose in a comparatively weak quarterback draft.
Johnson rebuffed head teaching overtures the previous two offseasons, preferring to stay in Detroit. He’s mentioned he feels extra ready than ever to be a head coach, however staying put can’t be completely dominated out.
Bears basic supervisor Ryan Poles vowed to run a complete search. He’s lived as much as his phrase, nearly to a fault — many across the NFL questioned whether or not the vast swath of candidates indicated a scarcity of focus. The Bears’ record won’t be finished rising, both. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, whose Combating Irish play within the nationwide title recreation on Monday, has acknowledged the Bears’ curiosity, even when claimed he hadn’t given it a lot thought. The Bears reached out to the Steelers’ Mike Tomlin, solely to be rebuffed, and will produce other stunning swings in thoughts. Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury didn’t interview final week whereas making ready for the playoffs. That doesn’t determine to alter this week, with the Commanders enjoying the Eagles within the NFC championship recreation.
By then, it could be too late. After Poles vowed the Bears could be “digging deeper than we ever have earlier than,” the time is rising close to for the Bears to point out the world what they’ve discovered.
