The Chicago Bears need to revisit their list of coaching candidates, as a report about the coordinators with the Detroit Lions surfaced Friday afternoon.
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn interviewed with the Bears virtually last week. They’re unable to interview again with Chicago, or any other NFL team, until the Lions postseason is over or the Super Bowl bye week.
Ben Johnson has a new agent not named Trace Armstrong
© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
Still, the coordinators are making moves in the coaching market while preparing the Lions to play the Washington Commanders on Saturday night. As of Friday, Johnson agreed to have Illinois resident Rick Smith, president of Priority Sports, represent him as his agent.
Despite Smith’s ties to Chicago, Smith is no Trace Armstrong, and Johnson’s new representation doesn’t seem to mean he’s any closer to joining the Bears.
The “big question” is now about Marcus Freeman
Per George Ofman, Johnson is expected to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders or Jacksonville Jaguars; and Glenn with the New York Jets.
“It appears Ben Johnson nor Aaron Glenn will become the next head coach of the Bears,” Ofman wrote on X. “Nothing for certain but told Johnson likely goes to Raiders or Jags & Glenn to Jets. Big question now is whether there Bears will seek to interview Marcus Freeman after the championship game.”
It appears Ben Johnson nor Aaron Glenn will become the next head coach of the Bears. Nothing for certain but told Johnson likely goes to Raiders or Jags & Glenn to Jets. Big question now is whether there Bears will seek to interview Marcus Freeman after the championship game.
— George Ofman (@georgeofman) January 17, 2025
Chicago Bears CEO Kevin Warren like Freeman
Bears CEO Kevin Warren is reportedly a big fan of Freeman, the head coach of Notre Dame football.
The No. 7 seed Fighting Irish are set to play No. 8 Ohio State in the College Football Playoff national championship on Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Following the game, Freeman could honor the Bears’ request to meet with him. However, the 39-year-old coach won’t be cheap. Notre Dame agreed to a contract extension that will pay him nearly $9-10 million per year, and that’s nothing to say of his buyout.
But if Johnson and Glenn are off the table, Freeman and several other names must be considered for a team that has had since Black Friday to come up with a strategy to land the best coach in this hiring cycle.
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The Chicago Bears complete interview with a potential elite head coach
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