The Bears are deep into their coaching search, interviewing multiple candidates, including Lions OC Ben Johnson, as they seek a new head coach.
Chicago: The Bears are still on the hunt for a new head coach, and it looks like it’s going to take a while. They’ve got a long list of candidates, around 20, and they’re just getting started with interviews.
Recently, they chatted with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith over video and brought in Mike McCarthy for an in-person meeting. That makes it 12 interviews so far, but they still haven’t talked to some big names like Brian Flores or Kliff Kingsbury.
If GM Ryan Poles is looking for references on McCarthy, he might want to check in with Micah Parsons. The linebacker, who just lost McCarthy as his coach, had some glowing things to say about him, calling it “devastating” to see him go.
McCarthy, who’s 61, has a solid track record, winning a Super Bowl and racking up a 174-112-2 record over his coaching career. He’s also in talks with the Saints, so he’s definitely in demand.
Meanwhile, Lions coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, who have already interviewed with the Bears, are focused on their playoff game against the Commanders. The Lions are having a fantastic season, ranking high in both scoring and points allowed, which is why their coaches are hot commodities.
Johnson, at 38, has been a sought-after candidate for a while now. He’s been preparing for these interviews and has a clear vision of what he wants in a program. He’s seen as a top choice for the Bears, but he’s also on the radar for the Jaguars and Raiders.
Interestingly, the Raiders have made it clear that Johnson is their main target. There’s been some buzz about Tom Brady, a minority owner, possibly talking to Johnson, which could raise some eyebrows since teams can only interview coaches virtually until their seasons end.
Johnson mentioned he didn’t know about any rules and has only met Brady once during a game. As for Glenn, he’s also been in the mix but is seen as a long shot for the Bears since he’s more defensive-minded. He insists he understands offense just as well and is ready to engage with both sides.
Both Johnson and Glenn have options, and the competition is heating up. It’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out for the Bears.
