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What a disastrous season 2024 was for the Chicago Bears. After taking rookie Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the NFL draft, the future seemed bright. They surrounded their rookie signal-caller with plenty of talent, had an upcoming defense, and appeared ready to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020. However, things unraveled quickly when it became clear that head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron were in over their heads.
Waldron was eventually fired due to the team’s offensive struggles. Eberflus soon followed him out the door after a loss on Thanksgiving day where Eberflus committed one of the worst end-of-game time management blunders in recent memory. It was a significant moment as it marked the first midseason coaching change in the history of the franchise. Chicago is now in the market for a new head coach and many consider it to be the best job available this offseason. So who should be the next coach of the Chicago Bears? Let’s take a few moments and examine some potential options.
Make sure you’re following RotoBaller on X and check out RotoBaller.com for all your fantasy football and NFL needs. Here are seven candidates to be the next head coach of the Chicago Bears.
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1.) Ben Johnson
Johnson has been the Lions offensive coordinator for the last three seasons and is one of the most coveted head coach candidates this year. He has worked wonders for Jared Goff and helped turn around his career following an unceremonious exit from the Los Angeles Rams.
JARED GOFF TO Jameson Williams. 82-YARD TOUCHDOWN.
📺: #DETvsCHI on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/x2g80Yw1vV— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024
This is arguably the ideal hire for Chicago given they have a talented young quarterback in Caleb Williams. Chicago also has some nice pieces on offense that a coach like Johnson would put to good use. We will have to see whether or not Johnson lands the Bears job or if the team and/or Johnson go in different directions. One thing's for sure. An offensive coach seems like the best move for Chicago right now.
2.) Pete Carroll
After a year away from the game, the former Seahawks head coach has reportedly landed an interview with the Bears. Carroll is a proven winner and is one of only a handful of coaches to win both a national title and a Super Bowl.
He’s only posted four losing seasons in his 18 years as a head coach. But given the needs of the Bears at this moment, an old-school, defensive-minded head coach might not be the smartest move.
3.) Drew Petzing
Petzing has spent the last two years as the Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator. He is relatively unknown by most casual NFL fans but is reportedly viewed highly in some league circles.
Hiring Petzing would make some sense as he helped build a strong running game in Arizona. However, quarterback Kyler Murray hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire under Petzing so he is a bit of an unknown when it comes to developing a quarterback like Caleb Williams.
4.) Anthony Weaver
Weaver is drawing interest from around the league as a potential first-time head coach. He has a strong reputation and has been praised for his leadership skills. Weaver did a fine job in his first season as defensive coordinator for the Dolphins, and his defense allowed the fourth-fewest yards per game in 2024.
Should Chicago decide to go with Weaver his success could ultimately come down to who he chooses as his offensive coordinator. Whoever that is would be in charge of further developing Williams and fixing the Bears' broken offense.
5.) Mike Vrabel
Vrabel is arguably the top head candidate available but doesn’t really have any experience working with young quarterbacks. Yes, this point has been stressed many times, but Chicago has to get this hire right as they cannot simply let Williams’ talent and potential go to waste.
This throw by Caleb Williams 🔥
📺: #MINvsCHI on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/bdDgz6r0Bx— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2024
However, Vrabel is a proven winner and odds are good he knows someone in his little red book who could help Williams reach his ceiling.
6.) Joe Brady
After flaming out as offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, Brady has excelled in the same role with the Buffalo Bills. Having Josh Allen as your quarterback makes a world of difference.
WHAT THE?!?!?!?!
📺: #SFvsBUF on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/tO1I6KTQRM— NFL (@NFL) December 2, 2024
Brady is an intriguing name as he’s been at the helm for arguably Allen’s best season as a professional. He could be exactly what the Bears are looking for in their next head coach and might be able to put a system in place to unlock Williams’ upside.
What we don’t know is how Brady is in terms of culture, messaging, game management, and all the other areas where a head coach must excel. Some coaches are better coordinators than they are head coaches. We won’t be able to answer that question until we see Brady in action.
7.) Arthur Smith
This name is sure to garner some groans and eye rolls from many fantasy football players, but the reality is that many teams still hold Smith in high regard. His tenure with the Atlanta Falcons did not go well as he never posted a winning season in three years as their head coach.
Smith did a nice job crafting an offense Russell Wilson’s strengths this year and also had success with Justin Fields early in the year. However, Pittsburgh still ranks just 19th in offensive DVOA per FTN Fantasy and the bottom has fallen out down the home stretch. Pittsburgh enters the playoffs on a four-game losing streak.
Chicago has requested an interview to meet with Smith to discuss their vacancy, so we will have to wait and see what his chances are of landing the job following that interview. Should he become the Bears' next coach, his offense would be great for any Chicago running backs but may not be ideal for Williams and the remaining Bears' skill players.
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