Bears News: HC search ignites with Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn interview requests

The Chicago Bears are wasting no time in ensuring they have an interview with Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn this week.

Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported on Monday morning that the Bears have already submitted interview requests for both Johnson and Glenn.

Since the Bears hired former head coach Matt Eberflus following the team's loss to the Lions on Thanksgiving, Johnson and Glenn have been near the top of the list of candidates for the opening. With the Lions defeating the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night and clinching a first-round bye in the playoffs, the Bears can conduct virtual interviews with both Johnson and Glenn this week. Those interviews are allowed to take place between Wednesday and next Monday.

Johnson is the top candidate in this year's head coaching cycle across the NFL. Over the past month, there have been varying reports connecting the Bears and Johnson. While there seems to be a mutual understanding among all NFL insiders that there is mutual interest between the Lions' offensive coordinator and the Bears, there has been some pushback due to the status of Ryan Poles.

One of the openings that Johnson may have been eyeing instead of the Bears, the Jacksonville Jaguars, may have lost some appeal after their decision on Monday to retain general manager Trent Baalke.

With Baalke remaining in place as the Jaguars' general manager, the Bears may be the more attractive destination for Johnson considering Caleb Williams is on a rookie contract.

While Johnson would be the candidate for the Bears if the priority is Williams' development, Glenn could be the candidate the Bears look toward if the "leader of men" type is the priority. In addition to Glenn and Johnson, Dianna Russini of The Athletic also confirmed the Bears have put an interview request in for Miami Dolphins' defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.