Pete Carroll? Ben Johnson? The latest on the Chicago Bears' head coaching search
CHICAGO - The Chicago Bears' head coaching vacancy is already starting to make waves across the NFL with potential candidates.
One of those candidates came to light this week, while another continues his back-and-forth with the Bears through different reports.
Here's the latest on the Bears' head coaching search.
Expect Ben Johnson to be a top candidate
Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is expected to one of the top, if not the top, candidates for the Bears' job.
However, this dance between the two started as soon as Matt Eberflus was fired. It continued on Thursday night.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero noted Johnson is intrigued by the Bears' opening and will listen to what the Bears have to say once the regular season is over.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted that Caleb Williams is an attractive part of the Bears' opening as he's showing his ability to make plays at the quarterback position. The quarterback position is one of the most difficult parts of a rebuild to figure out, and Williams' talent
Still, it's not as cut and dry with Johnson.
Sports Illustrate's Albert Breer wrote in his mailbag published on Friday that Johnson is also looking for alignment with whomever is the general manager ahead of him. The Bears will have to answer that question with an extension for current GM Ryan Poles or another corresponding move if Johnson is their guy.
However, Johnson also has to do some convincing on his end.
The Bears were clear after they fired Matt Eberflus that they were going to be looking for leadership as a top quality in the candidates they interview for the head coach opening.
"If Chicago is truly looking for a leader-of-men type, there are boxes that Johnson will have to check in the interview process," Breer wrote. "It may not be as easy to see with Johnson as it is with Mike Vrabel or even Johnson’s staffmate Aaron Glenn."
What to make about Pete Carroll
Bears fans got an unexpected addition to their stockings on Christmas morning when ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll was interested in getting back into the coaching ranks, and had a specific eye on the Bears' opening.
Carroll is most known for creating the Legion of Boom in Seattle and winning a Super Bowl, while coming within a play on winning two consecutive Super Bowls.
Breer mentioned Carroll on Amazon's Thursday Night Football pregame show where he said Carroll has made it known to all teams with openings and potential openings that he's interested in getting back on the sidelines, not just the Bears.
However, the interest with the Bears is also mutual.
"I'm told the Bears are interested in sitting down and having a conversation with Carroll," Breer said on Thursday night.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after their 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium on February 2, 2014 in East Ruth
What could be next?
Carroll and Johnson won't be the only ones interviewed for the Bears' opening. In fact, they can't be the only ones.
The NFL's Rooney Rule mandates NFL teams interviewing for open head coaching positions must interview at least one minority candidate. Neither Carroll or Johnson meet that requirement; however, it's fair to assume Aaron Glenn will be on the Bears' list of coaches who'll be interviewed.
Beyond that, if Carroll is openly expressing his interest in the Bears' opening then it's safe to assume other top candidates will try and throw their names in.
One name is Cleveland Browns coaching and personnel consultant Mike Vrabel. The former Tennessee Titans head coach wants to be back on the sidelines as a head coach in 2025, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini.
There haven't been any reports linking Vrabel to any openings – only the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints and Bears have current openings – but that might be because Vrabel's preferred destination isn't open yet.
Decisions remain to be made about the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders head coaching positions. Vrabel has a connection with Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, whom Vrabel played with in New England, and the Patriots, where Vrabel won three Super Bowls with as a linebacker in New England.