Here’s the List of Head Coach and GM Candidates the Bears Have Interviewed (Or Will Soon) (UPDATES)

Eight days have come and gone since the Chicago Bears sent Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy packing. They don’t have replacements for either yet, but the Bears have certainly been piling up the interview requests. And that isn’t inconsequential.

Unlike the last GM search, this process seems to be more exhaustive and wide-ranging. That might make some uneasy, especially those of us looking to get the bad taste of that press conference out of our mouth. Plus, we’ve been discussing the possibility of replacing Pace and Nagy for pretty much all of 2021. But it will come.

It just might take a bit. And I think I’m OK with that (for now). In the meantime, let’s run down a list of known candidates.

P.S. The Bears have reportedly decided to hire a GM before hiring a head coach.

Head Coach Candidates Who Have Officially Interviewed

•   Doug Pederson (Philadelphia Eagles – Head Coach, 2016-2020) (Jan. 12)

•   Brian Flores (Miami Dolphins – Head Coach, 2019-21) (Jan. 14)

•   Nathaniel Hackett (Green Bay Packers – Offensive Coordinator) (Jan. 15)

•   Jim Caldwell (Indianapolis Colts Head Coach, 2009-11; Detroit Lions Head Coach, 2014-17) (Jan. 15)

•   Brian Daboll (Buffalo Bills – Offensive Coordinator) (Jan. 16)

•   Matt Eberflus (Indianapolis Colts – Defensive Coordinator) (Jan. 17)

•   Byron Leftwich (Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Offensive Coordinator) (Jan. 20)

•   Leslie Frazier (Buffalo Bills – Defensive Coordinator) (Jan. 21)

•   Dan Quinn (Dallas Cowboys – Defensive Coordinator) (Jan. 22, per ESPN’s Ed Werder)

•   Todd Bowles (Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Defensive Coordinator) (Jan. 22)

Head Coach Candidates Who Have Yet to Interview

•   Dennis Allen (New Orleans Saints Defensive Coordinator)

Head Coach Candidates Set Up For Second Interviews

•   Jim Caldwell

•   Dan Quinn

•   Matt Eberflus

General Manager Candidates Who Have Officially Interviewed

•   Glenn Cook (Cleveland Browns – Vice President of Player Personnel) (Jan. 12)

•   Kwesi Adofo-Mensah (Cleveland Browns – Vice President of Football Operations) (Jan. 13)

•   Champ Kelly (Chicago Bears – Assistant General Manager) (Jan. 13)

•   Jeff Ireland (New Orleans Saints – Assistant General Manager) (Jan. 14)

•   Monti Ossenfort (Tennessee Titans – Director of Player Personnel) (Jan. 15)

•   Eliot Wolf (New England Patriots – Director of Scouting) (Jan. 18)

•   Ran Carthon (San Francisco 49ers – Director of Player Personnel) (Jan. 19)

•   Reggie McKenzie (Miami Dolphins – VP of Football and Business Administration) (Jan. 20)

•   Ryan Poles (Kansas City Chiefs – Executive Director of Player Personnel) (Jan. 21, with a second interview coming)

General Manager Candidates Who Have Yet to Interview

•   Morocco Brown (Indianapolis Colts – Director of College Scouting)

•   Omar Khan (Pittsburgh Steelers – VP of Football and Business Administration)

•   Rick Smith (Houston Texans – Executive Vice President of Football Operations, 2006-17)

•   JoJo Wooden (Los Angeles Chargers – Director of Player Personnel)

No Longer a Candidate

•   Joe Schoen (Buffalo Bills – Assistant General Manager) — Hired by Giants on Jan. 21

•   Ed Dodds (Indianapolis Colts – Assistant General Manager) (Jan. 17) — Withdrew from candidacy on Jan. 19

We’ll keep refreshing this list with updated links and names when things become officially official.

written by

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

The NFL is Playing a Christmas Day Doubleheader in 2024

Christmastime is generally full of cheer. And in 2024, it will be full of cheering. In fact, we're talking double the cheer. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reports the league will play not one, but *TWO* Christmas Day games. It's...

2024 NFL Mock Draft: How High Can J.J. McCarthy’s Stock Rise?

Hard to believe we're less than a month away from the 1st Round of the 2024 NFL Draft! With just weeks remaining until the NFL's most noteworthy offseason event, there are plenty of rumors floating. As we work through all...

NFL Rules Shakeup, Tomlin on Fields, Trubisky’s Linsanity Run, and Other Bears Bullets

The Bachelor's season-finale had a couple of jaw-dropping moments. Once the group chat catches up, it is going to be lit. What better way to start Bears Bullets than with breakfast anecdotes? I think I'm going to enjoy D'Andre Swift's...

Around the NFL: New Kickoff Rules Explained, NFL Trade Deadline Extended, More

NFL owners ratified a sweeping overhaul of the kickoff play on Tuesday, embracing a format inspired by the XFL following three days of deliberations at the league’s yearly gathering. Essentially, the new format relocates the bulk of both kicking and return teams...

Latest News

Celtics vs. Hawks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) are big, 17.5-point underdogs as they attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at State Farm Arena. The matchup airs at 7:30 PM...

Celtics vs. Hawks Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) are big, 17.5-point underdogs as they attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at State Farm Arena. The contest airs at 7:30 PM...

Bucks vs. Pelicans Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The New Orleans Pelicans (44-28) are only 2-point underdogs against the Milwaukee Bucks (46-26) at Smoothie King Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The game begins at 8:00 PM ET on NBA. The matchup's point total is 223.If you are...

How to Watch Indiana State Sycamores vs. Utah Utes: Live Stream or on TV

The Indiana State Sycamores (31-6) will attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Utah Utes (22-14) on April 2, 2024. The Utes have also won three games in a row.Indiana State won its most recent...

How to Watch Seton Hall Pirates vs. Georgia Bulldogs: Live Stream or on TV

The Seton Hall Pirates (23-12) will attempt to extend a three-game win streak when they host the Georgia Bulldogs (20-16) on April 2, 2024. The Bulldogs have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Seton Hall beat...

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Arizona Diamondbacks, led by Corbin Carroll, take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies in their first game of the season, at 10:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV...

Mariners vs. Red Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Seattle Mariners, led by Julio Rodriguez, square off against Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox in their opening game of the season, at 10:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming...

Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

In their season opener on Thursday, Jose Ramirez and the Cleveland Guardians face Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics, with first pitch scheduled for 10:07 PM ET at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.The article below will give you everything you need to...

Senators vs. Blackhawks Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Ottawa Senators host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, and are -198 favorites on the moneyline, with the road team at +164.Senators vs. Blackhawks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Senators (-198)Underdog: Blackhawks (+164)Total: 6.5Best Senators vs. Blackhawks Promo Codes[lasso type="table" id="1"]How to...

Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

more bears news