Ian Rapoport reveals startling detail in latest on Bears head coach search

It's been a whirlwind of a few days for the Chicago Bears and this fan base.

We got the privilege of seeing the Bears take center stage as one of just six NFL teams playing on Thanksgiving Day, but the aftermath of Chicago's contest with the Detroit Lions has been the bigger story than the game itself.

Late in the game, the big, controversial moment came when Bears head coach Matt Eberflus failed to call a timeout and instead allowed the clock to run down from just under 30 seconds while the Bears managed to run just one more offensive play.

It was the debacle of all Eberflus debacles, to say the least, and on Friday morning, the head coach was relieved of his duties. Fans' wishes had finally come true.

After Eberflus was fired, general manager Ryan Poles did receive a vote of confidence as the dust settled. Bears president Kevin Warren has allowed Poles to keep his job, for now, and offered his support for the general manager in his decision to fire Eberflus.

That support, though, will only run so far. Warren may support Poles, but one of the latest reports suggests the general manager isn't going to be the one leading this head coaching search.

Instead, it appears as though it will be Warren's responsibility with Poles offering support.

During all of the action on Sunday, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport gave us all quite the tidbit in his latest on the Bears' impending head coaching search.

"Ryan Poles is expected to stay as GM and help Kevin Warren run the search for what should be a really coveted opening," Rapoport said.

In most cases, the general manager would head-up the coaching search. However, Poles doesn't look like he's going to be first in command in finding the new head coach. Again, Rapoport suggests it's going to be Warren.

Ian Rapoport listed a few key head coaching candidates connected to the Bears' opening

Now, just who might the Bears hire to replace Eberflus?

First off, interim head coach Thomas Brown is getting his chance at the job. It all depends on how these final five games go for Brown. If it goes swimmingly, then maybe Brown earns himself the gig.

But, there are going to be several other big names involved in the search, according to Rapoport.

"Expect them to look at all the top candidates from Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn ... Mike Vrabel ... but here's an interesting name to watch, Kliff Kingsbury, of course worked with Caleb Williams at USC," Rapoport said.

So, Brown gets his shot. But, there are some legitimate candidates who will give him a run for his money. Of course, no name is bigger than Ben Johnson, whom many Bears fans have been dreaming about for quite some time now.

It's pretty safe to say that, while Chicago is a tantalizing opening, the front office dysfunction is also going to be reason for potential candidates to be concerned. We'll see how that all plays out as the offseason nears.