Chicago Bears coaching search: How we sort each candidate for the Bears' head coach vacancy

We're in the middle of the Chicago Bears' search for their next head coach. Plenty has come to light about where the Bears are looking.

In short, everywhere.

The Bears have an interview list that's grown past the dozens as it inches closer to two dozen at this point.

Still, here's what the Bears said they are looking for in their next head coach:

  • A clear vision of what the team will look like.
  • Player developmental mindset.
  • Keen sense for game operation.
  • Plan to develop a quarterback. In this case, Caleb Williams.

Of the candidates we know of, here's how we sort each available candidate into tiers.

The top – The best options out there for the Bears

There are coaching candidates, and then there's the top of the heap. These are the candidates we think are the Bears' best options.

Ben Johnson – Detroit Lions offensive coordinator

Johnson is the type of candidate the Bears should try and woo to Halas Hall. He's a top offensive mind who has a track record of getting success out of quarterbacks. He might not come from the Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan tree, but he's the next up-and-coming offensive mind to earn a shot at being a head coach.

The Bears have passed up the likes of McVay, Shanahan, Kevin O'Connell and more before. Why risk passing up the next best thing? It's time for the Bears to take that swing in a conference where they're at risk of being left very far behind.

Mike McCarthy – Former Packers, Cowboys head coach

Before he was hired in New England, Mike Vrabel was at the top of the list for Bears' fans. Vrabel interviewed with the Bears, too. However, even if Vrabel was still on the market, McCarthy would be at the top of this list.

McCarthy has gotten success out of quarterbacks no matter where he's been, going back to his days in Kansas City and New Orleans to go along with his higher profile successes in Green Bay and Dallas.

An experienced head coach who has won a Super Bowl, has had sustained success and has success in developing quarterbacks at all levels of their careers fits what the Bears are looking for, even if the name doesn't excite Bears fans.

The next few – Not our top choices, but it wouldn't be a flop

These are the candidates that have our attention. Even though they've still got a few question marks surrounding them, the Bears could certainly do worse.

Pete Carroll – Former Seahawks head coach

Carroll has a Super Bowl win to his name and plenty of those who speak highly of him. If the Bears want to get the locker room right, Carroll would be a good choice. However, at 73, you have to wonder if he'd be the long-term answer.

Aaron Glenn – Detroit Lions defensive coordinator

Glenn has received rave reviews from Dan Campbell and those he's worked with in the past. If the Bears want a "leader of men," Glenn certainly fits that requirement. He'd just have to have a rock-solid plan for Caleb Williams' development.

Joe Brady – Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator

Kliff Kingsbury – Washington Commanders offensive coordinator

Brady and Kingsbury aren't the same – Kliff was a head coach before in Arizona – but both are young offensive minds that have successful quarterbacks on display in the 2024 season, so we looped them together here. They're not above Johnson's name in terms of coveted offensive minds, but they'd have a good plan for Williams. Can they connect the locker room, though?

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Chicago Bears head coach interview tracker: Who's already talked, who's on the schedule

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The ones we're not too sure about – Could they be great? We just don't know

The Bears really did cast a wide net in this coaching cycle. These are the candidates that have a pro-con list that leaves us wondering if they could be the right guy at Halas Hall.

Marcus Freeman – Notre Dame head coach

Freeman is a terrific college coach. He's made Notre Dame football likable and has taken a roster that was demoralized by an upset loss to NIU and depleted by injuries to the national championship game. He just signed a massive extension with the Irish and lacks any kind of NFL experience, however.

Those two things make you wonder if he'd leave South Bend for Chicago, let alone if he'd be a good fit for the job.

Thomas Brown – Bears interim head coach

Brown was 1-4 in his five games coaching the Bears after Matt Eberflus was fired. He knows the team, and the team knows him. He was stuck running Shane Waldron's offense when he has his own that could've been better. But, would the Bears and Brown be better off with a fresh start? Brown has already interviewed for jobs elsewhere.

Todd Monken – Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator

Monken is a great NFL offensive coordinator. His success at Georgia and in Baltimore has won him two national championships and made the Ravens into a Super Bowl favorite, depending on who you ask. But, his offense is based around a multi-faceted running game. Just like the others, it makes you wonder: Can he develop Caleb Williams?

Ron Rivera – Former Panthers, Commanders head coach

Rivera won an NFL Coach of the Year award and developed a former No. 1 overall pick in Cam Newton into an NFL MVP. But, would he fit what the Bears are looking for at this point in time?

Brian Flores – Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator

Flores has been a head coach before in Miami, but his tenure ended after four seasons. His defenses are terrific, but he still has to show: 1. How much he's learned from his first tenure as a head coach and 2. What his plan to develop Caleb Williams is.

Anthony Weaver – Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator

Weaver's name has risen quickly in this coaching cycle. However, he's been the defensive coordinator for just one year in Miami. Is that enough experience to have a plan to develop Caleb Williams?

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The ones we're not too keen on – Are we sure they've got what it takes?

The Bears' wide net touched on plenty of candidates, especially ones that we aren't too sure about. These are those candidates.

Mike Kafka – New York Giants offensive coordinator

Drew Petzing – Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator

Arthur Smith – Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator

Adam Stenavich – Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator

These are all offensive coordinators the Bears have requested or have interviewed. Stipanovich has the best offense of all of them, though that might solely be because of Green Bay head coach Matt LaFluer, while Smith was a head coach in Atlanta but for just four years.

David Shaw – Denver Broncos personnel executive

There was a time Shaw was considered on NFL coaching lists. His success at Stanford was impeccable, but that came to an end in 2022. He hasn't coached since, and hasn't coached in the NFL since 2005, making you wonder if he's a good fit.

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