There are plenty of names the Chicago Bears could explore in the coming weeks for their head coaching job. However, most would agree that Mike Vrabel is among the favorites. It isn’t a big surprise. He is the most proven option with previous head coaching experience from his six years in Tennessee. His reputation is one of toughness, discipline, and attention to detail. That certainly sounds like a coach who could thrive in Chicago. There is one concern that many critics won’t drop.
Vrabel is a defensive guy.
What sort of plan would he have for Caleb Williams were he to become a head coach? The biggest fear fans always have is a good offensive coordinator getting poached by another team, forcing the quarterback to start over in a new system. Vrabel needs to have some sort of plan in place. According to Albert Breer of the MMQB, two names were mentioned as possibilities on ESPN 1000.
With Josh McDaniels, the appeal is obvious. He has 14 years of coordinating experience, during which he won three Super Bowls. He’s produced a top-10 offense 12 times in his career. After two failed head coaching stints in Denver and Las Vegas, there is zero chance he gets poached. The concern with McDaniels is that most of his success came from having Tom Brady as his quarterback. His track record away from the G.O.A.T. is much more uneven. He got productive years out of Matt Cassel and a rookie Mac Jones. Unfortunately, his two years in Denver and Vegas were duds, as was his single season in St. Louis.
Rees is more of an enigma. The 32-year-old didn’t start coaching until 2015 but rose rapidly in the college ranks, becoming an offensive coordinator at Notre Dame in 2020. He got solid seasons from each of his quarterbacks and helped the Irish to 30 wins over a three-year stretch. Nick Saban lured him away to Alabama, where he got a terrific year from Jalen Milroe, who accounted for over 3400 total yards and 35 touchdowns. The success is evident, but he’s never done it at the NFL level.
Mike Vrabel seems comfortable putting his future quarterback in their hands. Bears fans may not feel the same way.
