NEWSLETTER
It feels like so often when the Bears are presented with what feels like obvious choices, they pivot to something different. Bruce Arians is available and wants the job? Let’s actually hire a CFL head coach. We’re going to draft a new franchise quarterback in Justin Fields? Let’s hang onto our lame-duck head coach and general manager. We want to take Caleb Williams first overall? Let’s keep our defensive-minded head coach who will enter next season on a hot seat!
That’s why when Matt Eberflus was fired, while I was happy that they made the right call, I was also concerned that they might again try and go the unconventional route when there were obvious choices in front of them.
According to a report from the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, however, it seems like right now the Bears are trending toward taking the layup as opposed to going the unconventional route. Yesterday on The Rich Eisen Show, Rapoport reported that the Bears view Mike Vrabel as potentially the top candidate for their head coaching vacancy:
I think Vrabel has got a really good shot to be a head coach next year. I think he will be one of the top candidates, if not the top candidate.
Ian Rapoport on the Bears head coaching vacancy
Interestingly, Rapoport shared this anecdote on Rich Eisen’s show just days after another NFL insider shared their belief that the Bears want to interview Mike Vrabel for their head coaching vacancy. Let’s keep an eye on this as we move along in the process.
Bears View Mike Vrabel As A Top Candidate
I don’t think this comes as breaking news to many people, or really to me, but at the same time, I find it comforting that the Bears are interested in Vrabel. I would personally prefer an offensive mind and would like to pair Ben Johnson with Caleb Williams (Rapoport also confirmed Johnson is a top candidate as well). But if Bears President Kevin Warren and General Manager Ryan Poles want to go the “leader of men” route, there is no doubt about it that Vrabel is the top candidate in that category of coach.
To see that the Bears are swimming in the deep end and talking to the best candidates that will come with the biggest price tags and might be a swerve from the type of coach they’re used to hiring is comforting. It signals that maybe they are truly trying to change the way they operate at Halas Hall.
There is plenty of time left in this process and I doubt we’ll have a decision on Chicago’s head coaching hire any time soon, but the early signs seem promising. If you want a “leader of men” go get Mike Vrabel. If you want an offensive guru, go get Ben Johnson. As long as the Bears end up with one of those two head coaches (I’m coming to grips with the fact they in all likelihood won’t trade for Kyle Shanahan or Sean McVay) it signals to me that the folks at Halas Hall aren’t just embracing the status quo and trying to do the same things while expecting different results.
MORE: The Chicago Bears Are Reportedly Targeting a Specific Type of Head Coach in 2025
They squandered the chance to align a new head coach and a rookie quarterback, but getting the head coaching hire right allows them to redeem that mistake. I’m happy that, at least for now, ownership and the front office seem to be open to deviating from their norm and swimming in the deep end of the pool.
