The Chicago Bears conducted interviews for their head coaching vacancy on Thursday, considering a range of candidates to step into the role after parting ways with Matt Eberflus. One notable interview was with Pete Carroll, the experienced former head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. At 73, Carroll has expressed interest in returning to an active coaching position after serving in an advisory role with the Seahawks since the end of last season. His impressive coaching career includes leading Seattle to its sole Super Bowl victory during his 14 years with the team, which was marked by ten playoff appearances. Carroll also boasts a national championship title from his time at Southern California, making him one of only three coaches to have secured both top honors in professional and college football, alongside legends like Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer.
Additionally, during the interview sessions, the Bears engaged with Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing and Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. Just a day before, Chicago had met with former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel. With a focus on rebuilding, the Bears are determined to find a new head coach who can help develop Caleb Williams, the USC quarterback they selected first overall in the draft, as they try to overcome a disappointing season in which they finished at the bottom of the NFC North with a 5-12 record.
Carroll’s track record includes a remarkable regular-season record of 137 wins, 69 losses, and one tie, alongside five NFC West division titles and ten playoff wins with the Seahawks. He made history by guiding the team to a Super Bowl 48 triumph against Denver, which marked the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy. The following year, Seattle reached the Super Bowl again, but succumbed to a last-minute interception thrown by Russell Wilson against New England.
Drew Petzing, 37, has recently spent two years with the Arizona Cardinals, working closely with Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray. Under his guidance, the Cardinals saw significant improvements, moving from 22nd in offensive yards per game in 2022 to 11th this season, and increased their scoring from 21st to 12th. This past season, Murray threw for 3,851 yards, completing 21 touchdown passes against 11 interceptions. Petzing’s coaching journey includes prior roles in Minnesota and Cleveland, where he focused on quarterbacks, tight ends, and wide receivers.
Anthony Weaver, 44, who also interviewed on Wednesday with the New Orleans Saints, played a key role in elevating Miami’s defense to the league’s fourth-best in his first season as coordinator. Before this role, Weaver spent three years as an assistant with the Baltimore Ravens and played seven seasons in the NFL as a defensive end. He started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Florida and entered the NFL with the Jets in 2012.
The Bears’ decision to dismiss Eberflus on November 29 marked a departure from their previous approach, as it was the first instance of firing a head coach during the season. The franchise is now focused on finding a coach who can assist in nurturing Williams into a competent franchise quarterback moving forward. Among the prospective hires, Detroit’s offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is believed to be a prime target for the role. Other candidates likely to be considered include Aaron Glenn, the Lions’ defensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury from the Washington Commanders, Buffalo’s Joe Brady, and possibly Mike McCarthy from the Dallas Cowboys.
