Bears' Top 4 Coaching Targets Reportedly Revealed Ahead of Offseason
By Cem Yolbulan
The Chicago Bears lost their seventh straight game of the season when they delivered arguably their worst performance of the season on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. Even though Bears fans are already desperately waiting for the offseason, the Week 14 showing was majorly disappointing, even for the most pessimistic fan.
One silver lining from the game, however, was the fact that it proved interim head coach Thomas Brown is not the man for the job. That means that the Browns' head coaching search is in full swing and according to one Chicago insider, there are four confirmed candidates on the shortlist.
Dan McNeil of the Danny Mac Show reported that Ben Johnson, Brian Flores, Joe Brady, and Mike Vrabel were the leading candidates for the opening.
NFL Rumors: Bears' Top 4 Coaching Targets Revealed
Sources confirm these FOUR coaches are on the Bears' list for HC: Ben Johnson, Brian Flores, Joe Brady, Mike Vrabel. They may want to talk to more candidates, but they're targeting these four. More as soon as I get it. #IBearWitness
— Dan McNeil (@DannyMacShow) December 9, 2024
One common element for the four listed candidates is the fact that they are all on the younger side. Mike Vrabel is the oldest coach among them at age 49 and he is the only one, along with Brian Flores to have any prior head coaching experience.
Vrabel found some success as the head coach of the Titans earlier in his tenure before missing the playoffs in his last two seasons. It was a big surprise that he wasn't able to land a job in the 2024 offseason, joining the Browns as a senior consultant instead.
Flores was a head coach with the Dolphins for three seasons before getting fired after not making the postseason during his tenure. He has found a ton of success as the Vikings defensive coordinator for the past two seasons.
Joe Brady is the least experienced coach among this group at age 35. He has been the Bills offensive coordinator since the 2024 offseason, and has done wonders for that group.
The apple of everyone's eye in terms of coaching search, however, is Ben Johnson. Lions' offensive coordinator is one of the most sought-after head coaching candidates in the league. Despite being pursued by the Panthers, Commanders, and the Seahawks, he stayed in Detroit and is leading the Lions to one of the most explosive offenses in the league once again.
There is a general belief that Caleb Williams and the Bears' talent will be enough to lure an elite head coach. Whether that is the case remains to be seen.
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