Chicago, IL—The Chicago Bears are set to interview former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll for their vacant head coaching position on Thursday, according to a source close to the team. ESPN was the first to report the news.
In a related development, the Bears’ attempt to speak with Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was rebuffed, as the Cowboys declined Chicago’s request to interview McCarthy for the job.
This marks the next step in the Bears’ search for a new leader after parting ways with Matt Eberflus in November. Eberflus, who struggled with a 14-32 record during his three-year tenure, was dismissed after a loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. In the interim, Thomas Brown took over as head coach, guiding the Bears to a 1-4 record in their final five games of the season. Chicago finished the 2024 campaign with a 5-12 record, landing them at the bottom of the NFC North.
Carroll, 73, has expressed interest in taking over the Bears’ coaching job. He is best known for leading the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory in 2013. Prior to his NFL success, Carroll won two national championships at USC in 2003 and 2004. Though Carroll left his head coaching role with the Seahawks after 14 years last season, he stayed with the team as an advisor. The Bears do not need to seek permission to interview Carroll, as he is no longer under contract with the Seahawks.
Meanwhile, McCarthy remains under contract with the Cowboys until January 14, and the Bears would have needed to seek permission to interview him before then. After that date, McCarthy will be free to explore coaching opportunities with other teams if he does not sign a new deal with Dallas. McCarthy, 61, has posted a 49-35 record in five seasons with the Cowboys and has previously coached the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl title in 2010.
The Bears are taking an expansive approach to their coaching search. According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, they have formally requested interviews with several prominent candidates, including Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. Former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel is also reportedly a candidate. Chicago’s general manager, Ryan Poles, is overseeing the search process with input from team president and CEO Kevin Warren.
Poles emphasized on Tuesday that the Bears’ search would be “wide-ranging,” aiming to include candidates from a variety of backgrounds, including offense, defense, special teams, as well as college and pro football.
Carroll’s extensive track record in both the NFL and college football makes him a standout candidate, though his age—73—sets him apart from many of the other names on the Bears’ list. Despite his experience and success, Poles and the Bears’ decision-makers are not expected to rush into a hire, with the search still in its early stages. While Carroll may be a serious contender, he is not the only coach with head coaching experience under consideration. The Bears will continue to evaluate all options carefully before making a final decision.
