Potential Chicago Bears Coaching Candidates to Replace Matt Eberflus

The Chicago Bears have taken the plunge.

The franchise fired Matt Eberflus, marking the first midseason head coaching firing in the franchise’s more than 100-year history.

So who’s next?

Here are some names to consider for the Chicago Bears head coaching job:

Ben Johnson, OC – Detroit Lions

The Bears’ roster should start here, with the offensive coordinator who just helped put the final nail in their former head coach’s coffin.

Johnson was elevated to offensive coordinator for the Lions after the team moved on from Anthony Lynn. Since then, he has become the hottest name on the coaching carousel.

Johnson was the architect of a Detroit Lions offense that arguably became the best in the NFL. He took the former No. 1 overall pick and Sean McVay rejected Jared Goff and turned him into a deadly accurate passer who uses every weapon around him.

The Bears, who have first overall pick Caleb Williams and a plethora of offensive weapons, need that kind of offensive vision to keep pace in an NFC North that has become the best division in pro football.

Hiring Johnson would be a swing for the fences. The Bears need a swing for the fences.

Bill Belichick, former head coach of the New England Patriots

If you’re starting a coaching candidate conversion, it certainly has to include one of the greatest head coaches in NFL history, right?

Belichick is currently in the middle of a year without coaching. He and the Patriots parted ways after the 2023 season. In September, ESPN announced that he wanted to return to the bench in 2025.

Belichick teamed up with Tom Brady to win six Super Bowls, the greatest coach-quarterback duo in NFL history. The Bears could certainly give Belichick the chance to oversee a talented roster with his stern but demanding attitude, and that wouldn’t earn the disapproval of many.

Belichick won 302 games during his NFL career.

Joe Brady, OC – Buffalo Bills

Brady took a circuitous route to becoming a head coaching candidate, but he arrived nonetheless.

Brady was the architect of the offense that helped Joe Burrow win a Heisman Trophy and a College Football Playoff national championship at LSU. His work there earned him the title of a rising coach of note.

Brady was hired as the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers under Matt Rhule. He was fired as OC of the Panthers in 2021.

Brady was promoted to offensive coordinator of the Bills when Buffalo fired then-offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. Brady took Buffalo’s offense and made it multidimensional, and helped jumpstart quarterback Josh Allen get back into the MVP conversation.

Given the Bears’ need for a coach who will develop Caleb Williams, Brady would be someone to consider not only from a developmental standpoint, but also from an offensive standpoint who would put together a balanced attack to help the young quarterback as much as possible.

Mike Vrabel, special assistant – Cleveland Browns

Those wanting head coaching experience should start with Belichick, but Vrabel should be talked about soon after.

The former Patriots linebacker and former Tennessee Titans head coach had a 54-45 record in six seasons with the Titans. Over those six years, Vrabel had four winning seasons.

It is well known that Vrabel wants to get back into the coaching game. He is currently a personnel and coaching consultant to the Cleveland Browns under Kevin Stefanski, who are also mired in a dismal season.

Vrabel, who took the Titans to the AFC Championship Game and made Tennessee a consistent playoff team as head coach, would fit the leadership qualities the Bears are looking for in a head coach.

The Bears’ once sought-after offensive coordinator candidate will now get a five-week audition to become the team’s next head coach.

Brown, who interviewed for head coaching positions before accepting the passing coordinator job in Chicago, will now have the opportunity to show he can rally the Bears, get them to perform at a level high and make winning coaching decisions.

He’s already off to a good start.

Since taking over as offensive coordinator, Brown has helped the Bears average 22 points per game and oversaw a stretch in which Caleb Williams did not turn the ball over, threw five touchdowns and allowed the Bears to win the game. the fourth quarter or overtime three games in a row.

For a guy who has been promoted twice since November 12, Brown has a great path to a head coaching job in 2025, even if it’s not with the Chicago Bears.

Brian Flores, DC – Minnesota Vikings

There are several reasons the Bears might avoid Flores as a candidate, but it’s impossible to deny his candidacy.

The Bears could avoid Flores due to his recent career turns. As the former head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Flores was fired on January 10, 2022. He later filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL and several teams, alleging racial discrimination in his hiring practices.

These moments should in no way disqualify him. He’s a coach who earns the respect of his players and has an aggressive defense that has helped the Vikings stay competitive in the ultra-competitive NFC North.

If the Bears solicit all candidates, regardless of background, Flores will be on that list.

Aaron Glenn, DC – Detroit Lions

There’s a reason both Detroit coordinators are candidates to become head coaches sometime in 2025.

Glenn took Detroit’s defense and made it one of the best defenses in the NFL. He’s a former NFL defensive back, so it’s fair to assume he has an edge to him.

The biggest attraction to the Bears and Glenn’s choice as head coach has to be his familiarity with the NFC North. Not only has he been scheming against the Packers, Vikings, and Bears since 2021, but he has been extremely successful.

On November 27, 2021, the Lions won with a score of 14-3 against the NFC North. They used a formula to build a winning team and get results on the field. Glenn and the Lions defense are a big reason why.

Glenn also has front office experience as a personnel scout with the New York Jets, making him an ideal candidate.