(670 The Score) By firing head coach Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29, the Bears gave themselves a head start in searching for his replacement.
That meant five extra weeks for Bears president/CEO Kevin Warren and general manager Ryan Poles to conduct their due diligence and do background research as they form a list of candidates for the opening. Despite coming off a disappointing 5-12 season, the Bears are confident they can attract a premier candidate to Chicago.
"This will be the most coveted job in the National Football League this year,” Warren said in early December.
Here’s a list of candidates whom the Bears are expected to consider as they look to alter the direction of their downtrodden franchise.
Note: League rules prohibit teams from conducting in-person interviews with coaches employed by other NFL teams until the conclusion of the divisional round, which will take place Jan. 18-19. Virtual interviews are allowed prior to then. Under the Rooney Rule, at least two external minority candidates must be interviewed for the head coaching position.
Ben Johnson, Lions offensive coordinator
Age: 38
Bio: Johnson broke into the NFL coaching ranks with the Dolphins in 2012 and has enjoyed a considerable rise since. He has served as the Lions’ offensive coordinator since 2022, leading a unit that ranked first in scoring and second in total offense this season. In the minds of many across the league, Johnson is considered the top candidate on the market.
Why he would fit: Johnson is touted as an innovative offensive mind who connects well with his quarterbacks. He has helped Lions quarterback Jared Goff revive his career in Detroit. The Bears’ primary focus in their search is to find a head coach who can help guide the career of 23-year-old quarterback Caleb Williams.
Mike Vrabel, former Titans head coach
Age: 49
Bio: A former All-Pro linebacker, Vrabel took over as Titans head coach in 2018 and enjoyed a successful run in Tennessee, where he was 54-45 (.545 winning percentage) over six seasons before being fired at the end of the 2023 season. Vrabel led the Titans to the playoffs in three straight seasons from 2019-’21, including to the AFC Championship Game in January 2020. He was named AP Coach of the Year in 2021.
Why he would fit: Vrabel is a defensive-minded coach who could turn the Bears’ woes around on that side of the ball while bringing a strong leadership presence to a team that badly needs it. He has a proven track record as a head coach, which will be a draw for any team interested in him.
Liam Coen, Buccaneers offensive coordinator
Age: 39
Bio: A product of the highly successful Sean McVay coaching tree, Coen leads a Buccaneers offense that ranked third in total offense and fourth in scoring in the NFL this season despite a series of injuries. Notably, Coen has helped veteran Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield have the best season of his NFL career here in the 2024 season.
Why he would fit: If the Bears are searching for their own Matt LaFleur or Kevin O’Connell, Coen could fit the bill. He’s another McVay protege who has carved out his own success away from Los Angeles while preparing himself to become a head coach.
Pete Carroll, former Seahawks head coach
Age: 73
Bio: One year after his exit from Seattle, Carroll is hoping to get back in the game. He’s one of the most successful head coaches of this era, leading the Seahawks to a mark of 137-89-1 (.606) over 14 seasons and to the Super Bowl title following the 2013 season. He’s 170-120-1 (.586) over 18 seasons as an NFL head coach.
Why he would fit: Carroll’s reputation speaks for itself. He’s a Super Bowl-winning head coach and proven leader with a relentlessly upbeat demeanor. He led Seattle to the playoffs in 10 of his 14 seasons as head coach. Carroll could help guide the Bears through a much-needed culture shift.
Kliff Kingsbury, Commanders offensive coordinator
Age: 45
Bio: Kingsbury is looking to return as a head coach after leading the Cardinals from 2019-’22. He was 28-37-1 (.432) in Arizona, including a playoff berth in 2021. Kingsbury also coached his alma mater Texas Tech from 2013-’18, going 35-40 (.467) over six seasons. Under his guidance, the Commanders ranked fifth in scoring offense and seventh in total offense this season as Kingsbury maximized rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels’ talents.
Why he would fit: Kingsbury spent 2023 as a senior offensive analyst at USC, working alongside Williams in his junior season in college. Kingsbury has a proven track record of working with quarterbacks, including current Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes while at Texas Tech. He’s a bright offensive mind who could provide the Bears an identity on that side of the football.
Joe Brady, Bills offensive coordinator
Age: 35
Bio: Brady drew acclaim for his work as LSU’s offensive coordinator during the program’s national championship-winning season in 2019, when he coached future NFL stars in quarterback Joe Burrow, receiver Justin Jefferson and receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Brady was the Panthers’ offensive coordinator in 2020-‘21, then returned to that role with the Bills in 2023, initially on an interim basis. Buffalo was second in scoring this season while star quarterback Josh Allen emerged as a leading MVP candidate.
Why he would fit: If the Bears are looking for a bright offensive-minded leader, Brady is worth considering. He has strong credentials in leading offenses and molding his system to the strengths of his quarterback. Though Brady has never been a head coach, he’s an intriguing candidate.
Thomas Brown, Bears interim head coach
Age: 38
Bio: Brown started the 2024 season as the Bears’ passing game coordinator before being elevated to offensive coordinator on Nov. 12 and then interim head coach on Nov 29. The Bears went 1-4 under his watch. Brown interviewed for the Titans’ head coaching job last January and is expected to be interviewed by the Bears.
Why he would fit: Though the Bears struggled under Brown’s watch, he was dealt a difficult hand. He’s another discipline of the McVay coaching tree and has established a rapport with Williams. Brown has a firm leadership grasp that resonates with his team.
Brian Flores, Vikings defensive coordinator
Age: 43
Bio: Flores has helped mold the Vikings defense into an elite unit that led the NFL in takeaways in 2024. Flores was 24-25 (.490) over three seasons as the Dolphins’ head coach from 2019-’21. In February 2022, Flores filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL and the Giants, Broncos and Dolphins, alleging racial discrimination. This past August, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa criticized Flores for his brash leadership ship style during his Miami tenure, calling him a “terrible person.”
Why he would fit: Flores and Poles were teammates at Boston College back in 2003 and have maintained a connection since. Flores is a respected leader who could bring a strong influence to the Bears’ locker room while reshaping the team’s defensive identity.
Aaron Glenn, Lions defensive coordinator
Age: 52
Bio: A three-time Pro Bowl cornerback, Glenn has been the Lions’ defensive coordinator for the past four seasons. He left New Orleans for Detroit along with head coach Dan Campbell and has now become an intriguing head coaching candidate himself. In a testament to Glenn’s work, the Lions ranked seventh in scoring defense this season despite being ravaged by injuries.
Why he would fit: Glenn would bring the Bears a much-needed new, respected voice and would work to shore up the defensive struggles. He’s expected to be a candidate for several vacancies in this coaching cycle.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on X @CEmma670.