LAKE FOREST, Ill. — On Monday, the Chicago Bears conducted an interview with Thomas Brown regarding their head coaching position, following his stint as interim coach at the conclusion of the recent season.

Brown initially joined the Bears as their passing game coordinator in February and was subsequently elevated to offensive coordinator after the dismissal of Shane Waldron on November 12. Following Matt Eberflus’s termination on November 29, Brown stepped into the role of interim coach.

Under Brown’s leadership, the team struggled, winning only one of the final five games, culminating in a disappointing 5-12 record for the season. However, they did manage to clinch a 24-22 victory against the Green Bay Packers in their last game on January 5, which broke a 10-game losing streak.

Going forward, the Bears are prioritizing the development of quarterback Caleb Williams, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the previous draft. After Brown took over, Williams posted a completion rate of 64.9%, throwing for 929 yards, six touchdowns, and just one interception.

In their search for a new head coach, the Bears are exploring a variety of candidates. Recently, they interviewed former Panthers and Commanders coach Ron Rivera on Sunday.

Additionally, they met with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn on Saturday. Other candidates include former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, Arizona offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, Miami’s defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, and recently dismissed Titans coach Mike Vrabel, who took a position with New England on Sunday.

The Bears have struggled historically, with only three playoff appearances since their NFC Championship season in 2006 and a singular Super Bowl victory, which came during the 1985 season.

After an expansive offseason that many hoped would position them for a playoff push—including the acquisition of six-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen from the Chargers—the team faltered dramatically after a promising 4-2 start, leading to their disappointing finish.