Six things to know about the Bears’ coaching search

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — When the Chicago Bears submit candidates for their head coaching search, they would like to make a lasting impression of being a first-class organization.

Part of that franchise facelift will mean not having candidates fly economy class, according to a team source. Some teams send private planes for candidates to interview for coordinator positions, but the Bears have been known to skimp, even for a head coaching position.

“That will be resolved,” a team source recently told ESPN. “If someone comes to an interview and dives deeper into how we do things, they will understand that this is a first-class organization.”

That will affect the travel budget, considering general manager Ryan Poles said he is casting a “wide net” to find Matt Eberflus’ replacement.

The Bears hope the new twist in the process will help them land a top-notch coach. They have had five head coaches since their last playoff victory in 2010.

Now that travel arrangements have been sorted out, here are five pressing questions surrounding the rest of the process.

How many candidates are too many?

The Bears have requested interviews with more than 14 candidates. Their request to speak with Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy was denied, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, but the team will speak with two former NFL head coaches this week when they interview Mike Vrabel (Tennessee) and Pete Carroll (Seattle, New England, NY). Jets).

Chicago has historically hired head coaches from the ranks of assistants. Only one head coach in the team’s 105-year history, John Fox, had prior experience as a head coach in the NFL.

“If you’ve been a head coach before, there’s a lot of value, because some of the new things you’ve already experienced, and you have kind of a playbook and a plan for how to counter things when they come your way,” the Poles said. “Or when you’re successful, how do you make sure everyone stays humble and keeps working to get better?”

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores (who also has head coaching experience) and former Stanford coach David Shaw are all candidates Chicago hopes to interview.

The Poles said they haven’t put a limit on the number of candidates, but a full field and multiple rounds of virtual and in-person interactions taking place throughout January could mean the Bears will have to navigate playoff schedules to make their decision. .

“We want to make sure it fits and doesn’t stress us out to the point where we’re not doing quality work,” Poles said.

What if a candidate wants to hire their own CEO?

The Bears opted to retain the Poles after waiving Eberflus on Nov. 29. The Poles will be responsible for leading the search. But what if a candidate wants to hire their own personnel department, including a CEO?

“I think we made it clear, I made it clear in early December, that he is our key person in the search,” team president Kevin Warren said. “He’s our general manager. He’s the head of football operations.

“I’m confident that if we do our job from a process standpoint, which we will, and sit down and be open and honest, people will see this as a great opportunity and from a hypothetical standpoint. I’m confident with the group “We now have Ryan leading our charge.”

The team’s reporting structure is also not up for reconsideration, according to president George McCaskey, who noted how the Bears’ “vertical” process works: the head coach reports to the general manager, the general manager reports to the team president, the president informs the president.

So would attempts to change that structure be a deal breaker for the Bears?

“Well, I’ve never seen anyone say that,” McCaskey said. “Usually they want the job.”

Will the Poles receive a contract extension?

Questions have been raised in league circles about the Poles’ job security and the status of the contract regarding the effect it will have on the coaching search. The 39-year-old GM did not want to reveal whether he received an extension or how many years he has left on the deal he signed in January 2022.

“The candidates we talk to will be something I’ll be able to address with them,” Poles said.

McCaskey does not believe that the Poles’ contractual situation will be a problem.

“In the interviews I’ve participated in, that’s never been a factor,” McCaskey said. “No one has ever come in and said, ‘I’m not coming here unless the general manager and I are on the same schedule.’

“So I don’t think that’s going to be a factor.”

Are the Bears going to prioritize hiring an offensive coach?

The plan the candidates devise to develop quarterback Caleb Williams will be a “huge factor” in who is selected as the 19th head coach in franchise history, Poles said.

In addition to Johnson, the Bears hope to interview Buffalo Bills OC Joe Brady, Arizona Cardinals OC Drew Petzing, New York Giants OC Mike Kafka, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Bears interim coach Thomas Brown.

Williams became the first Bears rookie quarterback to pass for more than 3,000 yards (3,541) and set a team rookie record with 20 touchdown passes. But he was sacked 68 times (third most in NFL history) and finished the season with a 46.5 QBR, which ranked 28th in the league.

The top priority for the next coach will be developing Williams, who will likely enter next season with his third snap and many questions about whether he will become the Bears’ elusive franchise quarterback.

There is an “ideal” for a young quarterback, according to Poles, but the Bears say they are not prioritizing an offensive coach at this early stage of the interview process.

“You have to look at all the characteristics you look for in a head coach, and then you have to see what the best set of them is to bring into the building,” Poles said. “Obviously, we’re talking about leadership, responsibility, some of those important things that carry over.

“Regardless of what the situation is, those things have to be there. Ignoring them just to get to the other side, I think, is also bad business. Really, it’s the candidate who has the best collection of all those things.”

Are the Bears using outside lawyers to guide their process?

Chicago’s top brass had five weeks to prepare for the coaching search after firing Eberflus. They have been gathering information on candidates they want to talk to and have used outside consultants to gather information on several “intriguing candidates” they hope to talk to, according to Poles.

During the Bears’ latest search for a head coach and general manager, the team hired NFL Hall of Fame executive Bill Polian as an advisor to McCaskey and former team president Ted Phillips.

McCaskey said the Poles are free to use any outside counsel they choose this cycle. The interview committee includes Poles Warren, McCaskey, director of football administration Matt Feinstein, senior director of player personnel Jeff King, chief administrative officer Ted Crews and director of human resources Liz Geist. Assistant general manager Ian Cunningham will be part of the process as time permits as he pursues general manager opportunities.