Courtney Cronin, ESPN Staff Writer, joined ESPN in 2017, originally covering the Minnesota Vikings before switching to the Chicago Bears in 2022. She is a frequent panelist on Around the Horn and host of Best Week Ever on ESPN Radio. Courtney co-hosts The Chicago Bears Podcast on ESPN 1000 and previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News as a multimedia sports journalist.
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Chicago Bears are making changes to their head coaching search process to showcase themselves as a first-class organization. This includes ensuring candidates don’t have to fly in economy class for interviews, a departure from past practices. General manager Ryan Poles is casting a wide net to find a replacement for Matt Eberflus, and the team is hoping these adjustments will attract top-tier coaching talent.
The Bears have requested interviews with multiple candidates, including former NFL head coaches Mike Vrabel and Pete Carroll. While historically the Bears have hired head coaches from the assistant ranks, they are open to experienced coaches in this search. The team is also considering offensive coordinator candidates like Ben Johnson, Brian Flores, and David Shaw.
As the coaching search progresses, questions have arisen about whether a candidate may want to bring their own general manager. The Bears are clear that Poles is leading the search, and any changes to the reporting structure are not up for reconsideration. Poles’ contract status has also been brought up, but both Poles and team chairman George McCaskey believe it will not be a factor in attracting the right candidate.
Developing quarterback Caleb Williams will be a significant factor in the coaching selection process. While there is no specific focus on hiring an offensive coach at this time, the Bears are prioritizing qualities like leadership and accountability in their head coaching search. Outside consultants are also being utilized to gather information on potential candidates.
Overall, the Bears are committed to finding the best fit for their head coaching position and are taking steps to ensure a thorough and efficient search process.