On Christmas morning, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter revealed a surprising development: Pete Carroll, the Super Bowl-winning head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, has shown interest in the Bears head coaching job and expressed a desire to return to coaching next season.
While Pete Carroll ending up in Chicago seems unlikely, there are compelling reasons why it could actually happen.
Would you like Pete Carroll to be the next head coach of the Bears? pic.twitter.com/xJuFSYkuaM
— Dave (@dave_bfr) December 25, 2024
Carroll’s pedigree and championship experience are undeniable. His presence could immediately elevate the organization’s credibility and help instill a winning culture in Chicago. For a franchise yearning for consistency, a coach of Carroll’s caliber might be difficult to pass up.
While this is speculative, it’s reasonable to think that George McCaskey and the Bears ownership might favor a proven name like Pete Carroll over an up-and-coming coach such as Ben Johnson. Reports suggest that Bears GM Ryan Poles is high on Johnson, but could ownership intervene to advocate for a future Hall of Fame coach? History shows that some “hot, young offensive minds” in the NFL haven’t worked out. The Bears experienced this firsthand in 2018 with Matt Nagy, who is now back with the Chiefs as their offensive coordinator. Opting for an experienced, established head coach like Carroll could align more closely with what Bears ownership values.
While I can envision a scenario where the Bears might consider hiring Pete Carroll, I don’t believe it will happen. Here’s why.