The Chicago Bears have been very active in interviewing potential candidates for their open head coaching position. Such key figures as Pete Carroll, Mike McCarthy and Ron Rivera have graced the halls and Zoom calls of the Bears. The activity is encouraging and makes one feel like the Bears are serious about this coaching search and want to make it right.
Of all the coaching candidates that the Bears have chosen or will choose to interview, there are a couple that seem to stand out more than the others. Former Dallas Cowboys and division rival Green Bay Packers head coach McCarthy along with Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator of the division rival Detroit Lions are the top two candidates the Bears are interested in. Sure, there could be a dark horse that appears suddenly but of all the candidates, these two are at the top.
Could it be Mike McCarthy?
Why is that? Well, if you want proof of a winning track record, look no further than McCarthy. The guy is a proven winner and has been with two teams. He’s not the “re-tread” type of coach like John Fox. He will come in, get the team in shape and get them winning games right away.
His track record with quarterbacks is a sound one. He helped develop such talent as Aaron Rodgers and helped to bring along Dak Prescott. Caleb Williams could learn a lot from him, especially if he brings in a good offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach to help.
Maybe not Ben Johnson?
Of the two, the one with the most question marks is Johnson. He’s never been a head coach in the NFL yet so we don’t know how he will handle a whole team. His offensive prowess is brilliant and he can run an offense, but can he run a team? Is the risk too great for the Bears to bring in another untried and untested head coach (Matt Eberflus and Matt Nagy type of guys)? Or will it end up being, ok? Could the Bears’ offense flourish under Johnson? Will Williams be able to reach new heights and be the player we thought that he would always be?
Most Bears fans are torn on who they want as head coach. You hear that they don’t want to give McCarthy a “do-over” at the Bears’ expense. Others say Johnson is green and the Bears shouldn’t waste this golden opportunity to right the ship with someone who is not tested. You can poll a thousand different Bears fans, and you will get a thousand different opinions, but one thing rings true for all Bears fans.
The Fans Are Weary
They are tired of waiting to win. Fans are tired of the confusion, the strangeness and the failure. They want someone to come in and help the Bears win now.
Which of the two coaching prospects mentioned is the best bet? In this case, you should ideally go through the process and interview everyone on your list (it’s a big list!). Along the way, you need to gather opinions and thoughts from the group. Then, narrow it down to about three to four candidates, and make the pick. McCarthy and Johnson should be a part of that last round of candidates unless they get hired by another team. At this point, that’s very possible.
Time to Get it Right
The Bears cannot botch this coaching search. They must get it right, this time, and get that guy that’s going to help them turn the team around. If they miss, the fan base will suffer, and the team will start to see the futility hit their pocketbooks. The Bears have the money, and they have the ability. They just might do it right.
Main Photo Courtesy of Eric Hartline – Imagn Images
