The Chicago Bears are casting a wide net in the early stages of their head coach search.
On Monday morning, at the start of the business day, it was reported that the Bears had formally requested to interview Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions' defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, and Miami Dolphins' defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
It's important to distinguish that while the Bears fired former head coach Matt Eberflus in November, NFL rules prevent the team from formally speaking with candidates employed by other teams in-season. That would be the reason why a lot of the requests that the Bears are submitting on Monday can be considered a formality.
In the case of Johnson and Glenn, the Bears likely have a legitimate interest in one of them becoming their next head coach. The Bears' interest in Weaver could be considered a fact-finding mission and the same can be said about the name Ian Rapoport added late on Monday morning.
The #Bears have put in a request to speak with #AZCardinals OC Drew Petzing, source said, a rising, impressive coach.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 6, 2025
Petzing has had coaching stops at the NFL level with the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns prior to serving as the Arizona Cardinals' offensive coordinator over the last two seasons. Petzing has had moderate success as the Cardinals' coordinator, with the unit finishing the 2024 season 7th in the NFL in terms of yards per offensive play.
It would seem that Petzing falls in the category of the Bears wanting to collect data on their operation from an outside source. While not discrediting the work that Petzing has done, his hiring likely would be closer to a worst-case scenario for the Bears.
As with the rest of the interviews that the Bears have requested, the initial meeting will need to be virtual. NFL rules prevent NFL teams from interviewing candidates in person until January 20.