(670 The Score) The Bears on Wednesday held their first interview of this hiring cycle by meeting virtually with Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, one of the most coveted candidates available on the market.
Vrabel went 54-45 (.545) over six years in Tennessee before he was fired at the end of the 2023 season. He led the Titans to three consecutive playoff appearances, including an AFC Championship Game berth in January 2020.
The AP Coach of the Year in 2021, Vrabel was a consultant for the Browns this past season. He's expected to be a strong candidate for the Patriots, who have reportedly arranged an interview with him Thursday. Vrabel was a three-time Super Bowl champion linebacker over eight seasons in New England.
Because he isn't currently employed by a team, Vrabel is allowed to meet in person with interested organizations, but all of the Bears' first round of interviews are set to be conducted virtually, according to reports. Candidates currently employed by other teams aren't permitted to conduct in-person interviews until Jan. 20, which is after the divisional round of the NFL playoffs is completed. They are permitted to interview virtually before then.
Vrabel, 49, was the Texans' defensive coordinator in 2017 prior to being hired by the Titans. He's considered a defensive-oriented head coach who holds a firm grasp on his locker room.
Bears defensive end DeMarcus Walker played under Vrabel with the Titans during the 2022 season and believes he'd be a good fit at Halas Hall.
“I tell you what, a lot of bullshit is going to get cut out,” Walker said. “I’m sorry, but that’s the truth, though. I feel like discipline will be laid right down from the first day. A lot of those small things that we have done and gotten away with, that won’t happen. That’s just from my personal experience.”
The Bears have a head coach opening after firing Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29. That marked the first ever in-season firing of a head coach in franchise history.
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.”
The Bears are expected to conduct a handful of interviews this week, including with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing and former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll.
Carroll is permitted to meet with the Bears in-person given that he isn't presently employed by a team.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on X @CEmma670.