In a year of many lows, coaching has stood out as a weak point for the 2024 Chicago Bears.
From gifting the Washington Commanders 13 free yards before the infamous Hail Mary to letting the clock run out with a timeout in their pocket, the Bears coaching staff’s mismanagement of end-of-game scenarios has unquestionably contributed to the team’s underachievement this year.
On Thanksgiving, Matt Eberflus ran out of time to right the ship. However, the Bears have continued to sink since his dismissal.
With the Commanders’ one-point victory against the New Orleans Saints in Week 15, the Bears were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. The team follows up the bad news with uninspired efforts against the Vikings, Lions and Seahawks to extend their losing streak to ten games and drop to 4-12 on the season.
With coaching failures on the minds of many fans, it’s never too early to jump on the 2025 NFL coaching carousel. Much like various online slots, it’s time to roll the dice and take a look at which candidates might be the “leader of men” that team president Kevin Warren and the Bears brass so desperately need.
EXPERIENCED CANDIDATES TO BE THE BEARS NEXT HEAD COACH
Mike Vrabel (Titans HC 2018-2023):
Given the many head-scratching decisions of the Eberflus regime, the ability to handle high-pressure situations should be a top criterion for any potential candidate. Vrabel’s Titans frequently found themselves in contention, making three straight playoff appearances, including a trip to the 2020 AFC championship game.
As a leader, Vrabel was highly respected by his players and always seemed to get the most out of his roster, both of which are qualities that recent Bears head coaches have lacked.
Brian Flores (Dolphins HC 2019-2021):
Despite failing to make the playoffs during his Dolphins tenure, Flores posted two winning seasons in Miami, each the Bears’ winningest season since 2018. In the years since the Dolphins let him go, Flores has rebounded by spearheading the Minnesota Vikings’ uniquely aggressive defense. In the 2023 season, the Vikings blitzed on an NFL-high 51.5% of dropbacks.
A year later, the Vikings still blitz more than anyone, and the result is a defense that only allows 18.4 points per game. While it’s not the most traditional hire, Flores is worth a look from the Bears.
Thomas Brown (Bears Interim HC):
It would be malpractice not to at least consider keeping Brown on as the long-term head coach. When Eberflus lost the locker room, the team seemed to rally around Brown. In addition to his connection to the players, his professionalism and accountability have been a refreshing change of pace from the Eberflus days.
Perhaps Brown’s most important qualification is his relative success with quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams has noticeably improved since taking over playcalling duties in Week 11 from former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. The next Bears coach will undoubtedly prioritize developing Williams into a franchise QB, and Brown’s head start has at least earned him consideration.
COORDINATORS ON THE RISE
Ben Johnson (Lions OC 2022-present)
The architect of the Lions’ high-octane offense is once again the gem of this year’s head coaching cycle.
After generating buzz with multiple head coach openings last offseason, Johnson ultimately removed his name from consideration and elected to stay in Detroit for another year. So far, the decision has paid off, and the Lions offense is putting up monster numbers.
They lead the league in points per game (32.9), and QB Jared Goff is amongst league leaders with a 71.4 completion percentage and 4,095 passing yards. All these stats bode well for a potential partnership with WIlliams, and the pair would have Chicago fans as excited as they’ve ever been for Bears football.
Joe Brady (Bills OC 2024-present)
After a 5-5 start to the 2023 season, the Buffalo Bills fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and promoted then-quarterbacks coach Joe Brady to the role. After the change, the Bills won six of their seven remaining games to earn a fourth straight AFC East title.
This year (Brady’s first full season as OC), QB Josh Allen is the current MVP favorite, and the Bills offense ranks second with 31.3 points per game. Like Johnson, his offensive prowess should attract serious interest from the Bears.
Liam Coen (Buccaneers OC 2024-present)
After interviewing for the Bears OC job last offseason, Coen ended up landing the role in Tampa Bay. There, he took over an offense that ranked 23rd in yards the previous season. In year one, with Coen calling plays, the Buccaneers have jumped to third.
Furthermore, he shares his roots in the Sean McVay system with Thomas Brown, meaning that adopting his system wouldn’t be as big an undertaking for Williams as it would be for the other candidates. Coen has quickly built himself an impressive NFL resume and certainly deserves consideration for the Bears job.
The Bears need a confident, competent, and competitive leader to propel their talented roster into relevance, and there is no shortage of qualified candidates. The combination of Caleb Williams, $82 million in cap space, and a giant market should appeal to a high-profile hire looking to capture the team’s first NFC North title since 2018.
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