The list of candidates for the Chicago Bears' head coach opening is expanding by the minute during the first official day of the team's offseason.
If you are keeping track at home, the Bears have already submitted formal requests to interview Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn, Anthony Weaver, and Drew Petzing.
The Bears have also expressed interest in Denver Broncos' defensive coordinator Vance Joseph but the team is unable to interview him this week due to the Broncos playing this weekend. The same can be said about Washington Commanders' offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and Minnesota Vikings' defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Another name added to the list and one the Bears could interview this week is New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
The #Bears have requested to speak with #Giants OC Mike Kafka, source said, for their vacant HC job.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 6, 2025
Outside of their surprise 45-point performance in Week 17, the Giants' offense has been one of the worst in the NFL this season. Considering that Brian Dabol is an offensive-minded head coach, the blame for the Giants' offensive struggles likely does not fall directly on Kafka's shoulders. Dabol will be returning as the Giants' head coach in 2025 but it remains to be seen if there will be any changes to his coaching staff.
Kafka, the former quarterback of the Northwestern Wildcats, may seem like an odd candidate, but all one would need to do is look at his coaching history. Prior to his time with the Giants, Kafka was on the Kansas City Chiefs' coaching staff from 2017 through 2021. Kafka's time with the Chiefs overlapped with Ryan Poles.
Kafka being included as a candidate likely all but rules out the idea that the Bears are moving on from Poles as general manager. Beyond that, Kafka being a candidate likely confirms that Poles is, in fact, the point person for the search. With the Giants not in the playoffs, the Bears will be allowed to complete a virtual interview with Kafka this week.