Thirteen days after a report in Santa Splash! indicated that Pete Carroll had interest in the Chicago Bears job, the Bears are now returning the favor — and will interview the longtime NFL head coach on Thursday.
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According to ESPN, the Bears are set to meet with Carroll, 73, who boasts an extensive resume that includes stints with the New York Jets, New England Patriots, and most recently, the Seattle Seahawks. Carroll enjoyed a 14-year run in Seattle, where he delivered the franchise its first Super Bowl title and made another trip to the big game.
However, after a shocking exit from the Seahawks last year, Carroll didn't receive any interview offers during the 2024 coaching carousel — which raises a compelling question: Why did no one take a serious look at a coach with his track record?
After all, Carroll is a proven winner. His accomplishments, including his Super Bowl victory in 2013 and consistent success in Seattle, are not easily dismissed.
Still, the Bears' list of candidates this year is lengthy and includes a number of intriguing names, such as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. Also on the list are Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, and Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken. New York Giants assistant head coach Mike Kafka, along with former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, are also among those being considered.
It's worth noting that the Bears also requested permission to interview Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, but that request was swiftly denied. McCarthy's contract with the Cowboys is set to expire next week, but the Bears' pursuit of McCarthy was ultimately blocked.
The fact that the Bears are now considering Carroll — someone with proven success and experience — speaks volumes about the franchise's aspirations and the sense of urgency in finding the right coach to lead them forward.
While Carroll's tenure in Seattle ended on a surprising note, his pedigree and ability to build a culture of success cannot be overlooked. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, as Chicago weighs its options during an intense coaching search.
