Bears interview Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken for head coaching job

(670 The Score) The Bears on Friday conducted a virtual interview with Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken for their head coaching vacancy, the team confirmed.

Monken, 58, has been offensive coordinator in Baltimore for the last two years. He has worked in a variety of roles in his coaching career, including spending three years as Southern Miss head coach from 2013-'15.

After leading Southern Miss to a 9-5 season in 2015, Monken moved on to become the Buccaneers' offensive coordinator. He worked in that role in Tampa Bay from 2016-'18, then spent one year as the Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator in 2019. Monken then transitioned back to the college ranks, working as Georgia's offensive coordinator from 2020-'22. The Bulldogs won consecutive national championships in 2021 and 2022.

A native of suburban Wheaton, Monken is considered one of the top offensive minds in the NFL. The Ravens ranked first in total offense and third in scoring under his watch in the 2024 regular season while star quarterback Lamar Jackson emerged as a leading candidate to win his second straight MVP award while working with Monken.

Friday marked Monken's first interview with the Bears. If his Ravens lose to the Bills in the AFC divisional round Sunday evening, he'll be eligible to conduct an in-person interview beginning Monday. If the Ravens win, the Bears would have to wait another week before Monken is allowed to have an in-person interview.

The Bears have an opening after firing former head coach Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29, marking the franchise's first in-season dismissal of a head coach.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles – who has been retained for a fourth season in his position – is considered the "point man" in this coaching search, team president/CEO Kevin Warren said.

Poles will be joined in the search process by Warren, chairman George McCaskey, senior director of player personnel Jeff King, director of football administration Matt Feinstein and chief human resources officer Liz Geist. The Bears may also include members of their senior leadership team in the interview process. Eleven individuals hold titles of executive vice president or senior vice president.

The Bears have stated their intention to conduct a wide-ranging coaching search. Poles began the process shortly after firing Eberflus, starting by gathering background information and making phone calls to gather intel on potential candidates.

"We're looking for clear vision, a developmental mindset, really good game management and obviously a plan to develop a quarterback is going to be a key part of that as well," Poles said. "We're going to cast a wide net. It's going to be a diverse group. This will be different backgrounds from offense, defense, special teams, college, pro. We're turning every stone to make sure we're doing this the right way.

"There's going to be some names that you don't expect, that are going to surprise you because we're digging deeper than we ever have before. In terms of timing, we're going to move with urgency, but we're not going to rush the process.

"We want it to be a sound process."

Monken is the 13th known candidate the Bears have interviewed as of Friday. They've also interviewed interim head coach Thomas Brown, former Packers and Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, former Stanford coach David Shaw, former Panthers and Commanders coach Ron Rivera, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and former Titans coach Mike Vrabel, who has since accepted an offer to become the Patriots' new head coach.

The Bears have one of six remaining coaching vacancies still open. The Cowboys, Jets, Saints, Raiders and Jaguars each have positions available as well.

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on X @CEmma670.