Latest on Bears next head coach |
It's no secret that this Chicago Bears organization is a mess.
When you look at the team that has been assembled, the draft capital they have with three picks in the first two rounds, and tons of cap space heading into the offseason, what coach wouldn't want to come here despite the current mess? Despite the Bears ownership group being one of the more hated in Professional Football, you can't deny that coaching the Chicago Bears is a dream come true for many candidates. That's why the job will be one of the most sought-after gigs heading into the offseason. Apart from Thomas Brown getting an interview following the season, Chicago has also been linked to 17 potential coaches for its open position, and you could make the case that all of them would be a great addition to this team. While it's unlikely that all 17 get an interview, it's clear that the Bears have focused on four names, as those four are the ones they want to target first. It does seem highly unlikely that these are the only four coaches the Bears plan to interview unless they are so blown away by someone that they offer a contract on the spot. Still, these are the four targeted candidates that they would like to get into their building immediately. Two of the names listed have been discussed for weeks, while the other two seem like good candidates to turn this team around. The most prominent name on this list is Ben Johnson, who will be one of the first coaches to get an interview in Chicago. Over the past three seasons as the Lions offensive coordinator, Johnson has turned the Lions' offense into a juggernaut and has emerged as one of the best Head Coaching candidates on the market. Given that the Bears have a young quarterback, which was one of Johnson's criteria, a talented offense, another criterion, and an organization that has the money to spend, this is a match made in heaven. The only hangup could be a potential GM change, as Johnson wants his contract linked with the GMs. Mike Vrabel is the second name you have been hearing about for the better part of a week now, and it is to be expected that he will be getting an interview in Chicago. The former Tennessee Titans head coach posted a 54-45 record in Nashville with one AFC Championship appearance and is currently serving in a Consultant role with the Cleveland Browns. Although not as flashy as Johnson, Vrabel knows how to build a team and has that character-building mantra that the Bears will focus on this offseason. Not to mention that Vrabel had Matt LeFleur and several other good coaches on his staff, and you can see that he knows how to build a great staff. That is part of the battle when becoming a head coach, as you need great coaches around you. Another name that has recently popped up as a potential target may not be the man of choice, but look for Brian Flores to get an interview. When you talk about a culture change type of coach, Flores is the definition of that, and you can look at the Minnesota Vikings and what he has done for that defense. Before that, Flores held several defensive coaching gigs following his playing career. He even had a brief run with the Miami Dolphins, going 10-6 in his second season before being fired after year three. A lot went into that firing, and it is still being talked about today, but the bottom line is that Flores does deserve another look in this league. Many fans' biggest problem with interviewing Flores is his lawsuit against the NFL. Some feel he would be a distraction in Chicago, and Lord knows this team has enough distractions. He is also a defensive-minded guy, and many feel the Bears will look for an offensive-minded head coach. Still, he is a very well-respected coach in this game and would be someone who could turn things around quickly. Sticking with the offensive-minded theme, you will find the fourth candidate expected to interview with Buffalo Bills OC Joe Brady. Formally the QB coach before Ken Dorsey was relieved of his duties, Brady was also the OC in Carolina and worked with Sam Darnold and Andy Dalton. Things didn't go well for Brady that season, as Carolina let him before landing in Buffalo, but since then, he has been able to rebuild his resume. Take this season, for example, when the Bills clinched another division title and are still in the running for home-field in the playoffs. A big reason for that is the play of their offense, notably Josh Allen, who may be the favorite to win the MVP this season. Allen has always had MVP capabilities, but something was always holding him back. Brady has gotten the most out of Allen as he plays the best football of his career. Given that the Bears have Williams as the quarterback of their future, the hope is to bring in a guy who can maximize Williams' overall talent. Brady could be the guy to get Williams to play to his full potential, which would lead to a successful future.
