The Chicago Bears have spent every day since Thanksgiving putting together a list of potential head coach candidates. What has caught so many by surprise is how extensive it has become. Currently, there are 15 names on the list that they are set to speak with. GM Ryan Poles said the plan is to cast a wide net and turn over every stone, looking for the right person to lead this team into the future. Background doesn’t matter. It is only about finding a leader who can finally give them an edge on game days.
What has many people nervous is the sheer size of the search. It is felt that interviewing so many candidates threatens to overwhelm the Bears search committee to a point where they aren’t getting credible information because they aren’t spending enough time with these guys. However, that isn’t necessarily true. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune was informed by someone inside the league that NFL rule changes have made it to where teams must wait until much deeper into the playoffs before in-person interviews. As a result, speaking to more candidates virtually to gather information is a smart move.
The rules for the interview process — the Bears can’t meet in person with a candidate who currently works for another NFL team until Jan. 20 — ensure this will be a protracted search. The design of the hiring process makes it sensible to gather as much intel as possible on a variety of candidates because the Bears will have time on their hands.
“These teams are so insulated and they’re in their own bubble,” one league source said. “Why not get insight into other buildings? You might as well get as much information as you can. You’d be stupid not to.”
This shows that Poles and team president Kevin Warren have done their homework. They became familiar with the rules and devised a plan that allowed them to maximize their time and efficiency. It doesn’t guarantee they will make the right hire. Still, it does mean they have a chance to meet with candidates who might deserve a look more than the media has indicated. This is a far cry from last time. In 2022, the Bears narrowed their search to three preferred candidates before Poles was even hired. Though he supposedly had the option to explore other candidates, he opted to go with Matt Eberflus after just 48 hours on the job.
He admitted during his end-of-year presser that the research process back then probably wasn’t thorough enough. So, it appears he has no intention of making the same mistake this time around. Poles has researched Ben Johnson, who many consider the favorite for the job, since the middle of last season. One can probably assume there are other names he’s looked into as well. The Chicago Bears won’t lack information once that list finally starts narrowing later this month.
