The Chicago Bears' search for a new head coach will likely enter the second phase on Monday when the Bears are allowed to conduct in-person interviews with candidates currently employed by another NFL team. Note that this includes teams both still playing in the playoffs and teams who have had their seasons end.
To date, the Bears have only had two in-person interviews. Former Bears' defensive coordinator Ron Rivera was interviewed at Halas Hall last Sunday while the Bears hosted former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy on Wednesday.
Considering the circumstances surrounding the McCarthy interview--the Bears flying the veteran head coach in through private jet and McCarthy spending the night--it lends credence to the idea that he will be one of the finalists for the position.
In providing an update on the Bears' search, NFL insider Jordan Schultz outlined that the job is down to two candidates.
.@Schultz_Report says the Chicago Bears head coaching search is a two-horse race between Mike McCarthy and Ben Johnson pic.twitter.com/Y4x0lx6iP8
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) January 16, 2025
Over the last week, it has seemed that McCarthy and Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator Ben Johnson have separated from the rest of the pack in the mix to become the next Bears' head coach. Of course, that may change after Saturday when the Bears interview Minnesota Vikings' head coach Brian Flores.
The idea of McCarthy and Johnson being finalists does create a conundrum for the Bears. McCarthy is free to be hired at this moment. Meaning, for the Bears, they will need to weigh the possibility of waiting on Johnson--who isn't eligible to interview in person until January 27 at the earliest--but losing their fallback option in McCarthy if he were to take the job with the New Orleans Saints. If Johnson decided to take a job elsewhere or return to the Lions, and McCarthy lands in New Orleans, that would signal the Bears missing on their first two options.