Bears request to interview both Lions' coordinators after Detroit locked up the #1 seed, here's how soon those interviews can take place
The Chicago Bears are wasting no time to get the ball rolling on the head coaching search this week after concluding the regular season on Sunday.The Bears were already expected to interview interim head coach Thomas Brown this week, as confirmed by general manager Ryan Poles. The team is also looking to hold an interview […]
The Chicago Bears are wasting no time to get the ball rolling on the head coaching search this week after concluding the regular season on Sunday.
The Bears were already expected to interview interim head coach Thomas Brown this week, as confirmed by general manager Ryan Poles. The team is also looking to hold an interview with former Tennessee Titans' head coach Mike Vrabel, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini.
Now, two more requests have been put in to interview two top candidates as soon as this week, and both of them are coaching with the same team.
According to NFL Insider Tom Pelissero, the Bears have requested permission to interview Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. The Lions locked up the #1 seed on Sunday night and will have a first round bye before starting their playoff run.
That's great news for Chicago when it comes to getting ahead on the interviews with the Lions' two coordinators. Since Detroit earned the bye, the Bears can meet virtually with both Johnson and Glenn starting on Wednesday, January 8th but the interviews have to be completed before Monday, January 13th.
Johnson is of course the hottest name on the coaching cycle and has expressed interest in the Bears' vacant position, but the team will have some competition if they want to land the top offensive mind.
The same goes for Glenn, who fits the "leader of men" vibe the Bears are searching for to create a new culture in Chicago. ESPN's Adam Schefter added on Monday that Glenn is also expected get requests from the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints.
As for the other candidates still on playoff coaching staffs that did not earn a first-round bye, the Bears and other teams with head coach vacancies cannot request and conduct interviews until next week.
For the Bears, that means they will have to wait to conduct interviews with candidates such as Vikings' defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Broncos' defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who have both been linked to the team's opening as well.
For candidates on team's eliminated from playoffs, they can get requests to interview as well starting this week. With that being said, Russini added that the Bears have requested to interview Dolphins' defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
It's going to be a busy next two weeks at Halas Hall with the search now underway.
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