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Adam Schefter, senior NFL expert
Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl-winning coach Pete Carroll has expressed interest in the Chicago Bears head coaching job and would like to return to the sideline next season, league sources told ESPN.
Carroll is one of four head coaches to have led teams to a national championship and the Super Bowl. The others are Barry Switzer, Jimmy Johnson and Jim Harbaugh.
Three teams (the Bears, Jets and Saints) are looking for a head coach who can help reset their culture. Few coaches have been more effective than Carroll in doing just that.
The Bears fired Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29, a day after a 23-20 loss to the Lions that ended with the Bears’ furious comeback attempt failed thanks to poor clock management. Thomas Brown, who had recently been named Chicago’s interim offensive coordinator, assumed duties as Chicago’s interim head coach.
Carroll helped make USC a national champion and then went to Seattle and, in a career that spanned 14 seasons, led the Seahawks to 10 playoff appearances, two conference championships and the franchise’s only Super Bowl victory. .
Last January, the Seahawks announced that Carroll had stepped down as head coach. At the time, owner Jody Allen said in a statement that Carroll would remain with the team as an advisor. Later that month, Seattle hired former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald as head coach.
In recent weeks, Carroll has begun discussing a return to the NFL and is now interested in doing so. He hasn’t spoken to any teams yet, according to sources, but would welcome the opportunity.
Although Carroll is 73 years old, everyone who knows him knows that he has more energy than most.
“I get asked a lot, so I’m pretty familiar with saying I might work out tomorrow,” Carroll said on 93.9 KJR last August. “I’m physically in the best shape I’ve been in a long time. I’m ready to do all the activities I’m doing and I feel great about it. I could, but I’m not.” wishing for it right now.”
This was said before the NFL season began. Carroll has since changed his mind and said he is ready to strike again if given the opportunity.
Chicago, with former USC quarterback Caleb Williams, is appealing to Carroll, according to sources.
The Bears are preparing to host Carroll’s former Seahawks team Thursday night in Chicago.
A legendary coach has returned to the game in recent weeks: Bill Belichick accepted the head coaching job at North Carolina. Now Carroll is looking to become the next to return.
