The Chicago Bears completed their first head coaching interview on Wednesday as the team interviewed former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel.
We have completed an interview with head coach candidate Mike Vrabel. pic.twitter.com/gls8gRYssM
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 8, 2025
The interview with Vrabel was completed virtually, as will the remainder of the first round of interviews for the Bears.
The first round of the Bears head coaching interviews will all be virtual. Even with the multiple candidates they could meet in person.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 8, 2025
Given the Bears' past missteps, there has been plenty of nitpicking regarding the process of finding their next head coach. Many have taken the news of the Bears only holding virtual interviews during the first round of their search as a sign of the organization being cheap. That is a lazy talking point from media types who found being cynical is the easiest way to create engagement.
The fact is these initial interviews for the Bears are fact-finding missions. There isn't going to be a head coach who the Bears would hire after the first interview. Sure, the Bears should have conducted interviews with Pete Carroll and Mike Vrabel last week but the idea of the team having virtual interviews for each candidate over the next week isn't something to get overly worked up about. Especially when a majority of the candidates are unable to have in-person interviews until January 20 at the earliest.
Chicago Bears News: Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell expected to interview
Chicago Bears' general manager Ryan Poles said there would be some surprising candidates the Bears speak with, and on Wednesday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune revealed one of them.
Iowa State coach Matt Campbell is expected to interview for #Bears job.https://t.co/AWRDZYB4gt
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) January 8, 2025
Campbell has bene coveted by NFL teams in the past but has been selective about the interviews he takes. The idea Campbell is taking the interview with Bears speaks to the draw that Caleb Williams has in making the job attractive.
Chicago Bears News: Interview request submitted for Kliff Kingsbury
NFL insider Josina Anderson reports that the Bears have indeed submitted an interview request for Washington Commanders' offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
Update: From gathering input, to expressing interest, to submission of official requests.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 8, 2025
I’m told the #Saints and the #Bears are the two teams that have officially requested interviews with #Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury, per league source. @BovadaOfficial https://t.co/7ChqTQcTLW
In her reporting, Anderson confirmed that teams are determining if Kingsbury is seeking a head coach role this offseason. Kingsbury's recent comments suggested he was open to being a head coach in the future but perhaps not in the immediate future.
Chicago Bears News: Ben Johnson's interview schedule
The Chicago Bears will interview Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator Ben Johnson on Saturday.
Sources: #Lions OC Ben Johnson — the top candidate in this year’s cycle — is scheduled to interview with four teams and has set up virtual meetings as follows:
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 8, 2025
- Raiders & Patriots on Friday
- Bears & Jaguars on Saturday pic.twitter.com/qO1VZKCZSl
Outside of the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints, Johnson is taking an interview with a majority of the teams with a head coaching vacancy. Of the four teams Johnson is interviewing with, the Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New England Patriots are considered the likeliest of suitors.