The Chicago Bears head coaching job is open for the fifth time since 2013, a franchise record. Some believe this is their best chance to finally solidify the position. For one, they fired Matt Eberflus five weeks before the end of the season. That gives them over a month of extra preparation time to vet the best possible candidates. Ben Johnson, Mike Vrabel, Aaron Glenn, Kliff Kingsbury, and Marcus Freeman are some of the early names thrown around. Team president Kevin Warren believes this is the most coveted job in the league. One thing is certain. Somebody will want it.
One of those names is undoubtedly in the category of “established.” Yogi Roth is a Big Ten analyst, documentary producer, and author. Before that, he was an assistant coach in college football, running the wide receiver room at USC under then-head coach Pete Carroll. Out of nowhere, Roth stated on the Up & Adams podcast that the former Seattle Seahawks legend wants to coach again when the two were discussing the Bears opening. If that isn’t somebody doing a favor for an old friend, nothing is.
Remember, Roth literally co-wrote a book with Carroll. The two are close.
Nobody disputes his legacy as a coach. He is one of only three people to win a college football national championship and a Lombardi trophy. During his time in Seattle, he went 137-89 and made the playoffs ten times. However, his final seven years for the organization were forgettable. He made the playoffs four times but only won a single playoff game. At 73 years old, most consider him long past his prime. As Roth puts it, he may still have the energy, but he likely doesn’t have the edge.
This Chicago Bears team needs and seems to want somebody who will hold the locker room accountable. While Carroll can do that, his style of coaching likely wouldn’t mesh with such a young team recovering from the mess that was Matt Eberflus. Carroll is looking for an established team in need of one last push to contend. It’s hard to imagine he has the time or commitment necessary to clean up what’s going on at Halas Hall.
