LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) – Nearly six weeks after firing head coach Matt Eberflus, the Bears on Monday began the search for his replacement in earnest.
As of late Monday afternoon, it was publicly known that the Bears had submitted formal requests to interview nine candidates currently employed by other NFL teams. Additionally, they arranged to interview current interim head coach Thomas Brown.
The Bears have formally requested to interview the following candidates for their coaching vacancy, according to reports: Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy.
The interview request for McCarthy wasn’t immediately granted, though his contract with the Cowboys will expire on Jan. 14. At that point, McCarthy will be free to interview with any team.
Brown confirmed Monday morning that he’ll interview with the Bears after leading the team for the final five games of the regular season. The Bears went 1-4 under Brown’s guidance, losing their first four games before beating the rival Packers, 24-22, on Sunday in their season finale.
Brown and the Bears haven’t yet set a date for an interview. Because he’s an internal candidate, there are no NFL restrictions on when it can occur.
“Having a chance to lay out my whole vision, the plan I have for this football team moving forward is going to be a part of it,” Brown said of that upcoming interview. “But I think them having a chance to see me in the building is something that to me should be more impressive than everything else.
“Change happens over time. I think often times when you're making radical changes, things get worse before they get better, but I think just being able to have him be in my meetings, see how I conduct myself in the team meetings, see myself at practice with as far as I am with the group should be more beneficial than anything else. But this is going to be more about myself, my personality, but also the plan for this organization."
Bears general manager Ryan Poles and team president/CEO Kevin Warren are set to address reporters Tuesday, when they’ll be asked to lay out the vision for the coaching search after a disappointing 5-12 season.
The Bears are expected to conduct a wide-ranging, thorough search for their next head coach. That would work in concert with new NFL rules, which have been revamped in recent years to slow down what can be a hectic process as many top candidates are still coaching in the playoffs with their current teams.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on X @CEmma670.