Who will be the next head coach of the Chicago Bears? Here is a list of potential candidates, in alphabetical order.
Dennis Allen, Saints defensive coordinator
He has done a nice job in New Orleans since 2015 after a three-year run as the Oakland Raiders head coach.
Eric Bieniemy, Chiefs offensive coordinator
Bieniemy interviewed with seven teams during the last cycle and likely will be considered again. The Bears might not want to go back to the Andy Reid tree again.
Todd Bowles, Buccaneers defensive coordinator
He has been in Tampa the last three years after serving as the Jets head coach for four years. The Bears interviewed Bowles in 2015 before hiring John Fox.
Matt Campbell, Iowa State head coach
His name has popped up for a couple of years as a college coach who could jump to the NFL. It seems unlikely in this spot, but you never know.
Brian Daboll, Bills offensive coordinator
Daboll deserves credit for his hand in developing quarterback Josh Allen. He has a diverse background with plenty of time in New England as well as three other stops as an offensive coordinator.
Ryan Day, Ohio State head coach
Perhaps the Bears would turn to Justin Fields’ college coach, who has a 34-4 record running the Buckeyes.
Todd Downing, Titans offensive coordinator
Downing followed Arthur Smith as the offensive coordinator in Tennessee. He was considered a possible hire as Bears quarterbacks coach on Matt Nagy’s initial staff in 2018.
Matt Eberflus, Colts defensive coordinator
He has run the Colts defense since 2018 and was interviewed for three head coaching jobs in the last cycle.
Leslie Frazier, Bills defensive coordinator
The former Bears cornerback has experience in the role after a stint as coach of the Vikings. He’s directing one of the league’s best defenses.
Aaron Glenn, Lions defensive coordinator
Glenn is considered a riser in the industry and got an interview from the Jets last year.
Harold Goodwin, Buccaneers assistant head coach/running game coordinator
The former Bears assistant’s name isn’t mentioned as often as fellow Bucs assistants Todd Bowles and Byron Leftwich, but he’s quite well-regarded.
Patrick Graham, Giants defensive coordinator
Graham broke into the NFL with the Patriots and has since worked in Green Bay and Miami. He’s in his second tour with the Giants. Graham is Yale-educated, and the Jets tried to meet with him last year.
Nathaniel Hackett, Packers offensive coordinator
The Packers are on a terrific three-year run under coach Matt LaFleur, and Hackett has earned credit along the way for the team’s offensive production.
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan head coach
The former Bears quarterback’s name has been out there for more than a week, with links to the team that drafted him and to the Las Vegas Raiders. Harbaugh began his coaching career with the Raiders. If he could lure his former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to join him, they would be a terrific package.
Mike Kafka, Chiefs QB coach/passing game coordinator
The former Northwestern quarterback and St. Rita product is another fast riser. Just like with Bieniemy, it’s a little hard to believe the Bears would look to the Chiefs for their next coach.
Byron Leftwich, Buccaneers offensive coordinator
The Bucs’ Super Bowl run last year might have worked against Leftwich. His name is hot this time around.
Don ‘Wink’ Martindale, Ravens defensive coordinator
He has been regarded as one of the better defensive coordinators in the league for several years.
Jerod Mayo, Patriots inside linebackers coach
The NFL defensive rookie of the year in 2008 has started his coaching career quickly. He’s only in his third year on Bill Belichick’s staff but appears to be on the fast track.
Josh McDaniels, Patriots offensive coordinator
McDaniels was all set to become the Colts coach in 2018 before changing his mind. The Bears interviewed him in that cycle too. The former Broncos head coach eventually will get a second opportunity somewhere.
Kellen Moore, Cowboys offensive coordinator
The former Boise State quarterback reportedly turned down an opportunity to return to his alma mater as head coach. He has been the offensive coordinator in Dallas for three years and is a hot name.
Raheem Morris, Rams defensive coordinator
It has been a decade since Morris spent three seasons as head coach of the Buccaneers. He worked as an assistant on both sides of the ball in Atlanta.
Kevin O’Connell, Rams offensive coordinator
Assistants working with Sean McVay have been intriguing for teams in the hiring cycle.
Doug Pederson, former Eagles head coach
After a year off, Pederson appears ready to get back into the game. He won a Super Bowl ring in Philadelphia.
Dan Quinn, Cowboys defensive coordinator
The former Falcons head coach has done a fantastic job in one season in Dallas. He was well-regarded by staff and players in Atlanta and could get another shot.
Greg Roman, Ravens offensive coordinator
He has done a really good job tailoring the offense in Baltimore to what quarterback Lamar Jackson does best.
DeMeco Ryans, 49ers defensive coordinator
Like Mayo, Ryans is a former standout linebacker who is climbing the coaching ladder quickly.
David Shaw, Stanford head coach
His name is bandied about at this time every year, but Jim Harbaugh’s replacement at Stanford has yet to show an inclination to jump to the NFL.