The Chicago Bears have sent in a request to interview one of Sean McVay’s top assistants for the team’s vacant defensive coordinator position.
Aubrey Pleasant, who has been coaching with the Los Angeles Rams since 2023, is a candidate to be the Bears’ next defensive coordinator. And while I do understand that there is a presumption that the gig will ultimately go to Dennis Allen, the Bears should (1) do their due diligence with other candidates and (2) prepare themselves in case Option A doesn’t come to fruition. Hence, the team wants to chop it up with the Rams assistant coach.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport has the scoop:
Who is Aubrey Pleasant and would he be a Bears fit?
Let’s take a look at Aubrey Pleasant’s recent work history:
- LOS ANGELES RAMS: Assistant head coach and passing game coordinator (2024-present), Defensive backs and passing game coordinator (2023), Cornerbacks coach (2017-20)
- GREEN BAY PACKERS: Offensive consultant (2022)
- DETROIT LIONS: Defensive backs and passing game coordinator (2021-22)
- WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM: Defensive quality control coach (2014-16), Offensive assistant (2013)
- CLEVELAND BROWNS: Coaching intern (2013)
- UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN: Assitant defensive backs coach (2012), Defensive graduate assistant (2011)
Some things that stand out about Pleasant’s résumé is that he has a history with the NFC North having coached with the Packers and Lions. He also has a pair of stints with the Rams, which suggests to me that the team liked what it saw the first time around to give him another shot. Beyond that, there isn’t much here that makes me feel strongly one way or another about his candidacy. But considering how the Rams defense looked in their playoff win against the Minnesota Vikings, I don’t see much harm in requesting the interview.
DENNIS ALLEN IS A RUMORED CHICAGO BEARS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR CANDIDATE
A fun fact about Aubrey Pleasant: While he has no experience as a defensive coordinator, he does have some time spent as a head coach. During the 2024 preseason, Sean McVay turned over head coaching responsibilities to Pleasant. And for what it’s worth, the Rams beat the Chargers by a 13-9 score.
This is what Aubrey Pleasant had to say about the experience (via the Rams’ official website):
“First, I would like to thank this organization. I would like to thank (head) coach (Sean) McVay, but specifically I would like to thank (general manager) Les (Snead), (team president) Kevin (Demoff) and (vice president of football & business administration) Tony (Pastoors) for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to represent our organization for this game. It’s different when just one person as a head coach believes in you, but collectively as an organization in order to give you this opportunity, it does not sit very lightly for me, and I want to thank this organization for believing in me.”
That is a pretty neat gesture by McVay. Clearly this meant a lot to his assistant. There could be bright things in store for Pleasant. Maybe his path will begin with an interview with new Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson.