Bears interview Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn for head coaching job
CHICAGO (CBS/CBS Sports) -- The Chicago Bears interviewed Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn for their head coach position on Saturday.
Both Johnson and Glenn have been looked at as top candidates this cycle, and for good reason. Both figures are key reasons for the Lions securing the No. 1 seed in the NFC and have shined on their respective sides of the ball.
Johnson, in particular, is considered one of the top candidates for the Bears' coaching vacancy, thanks to his prowess as Detroit's play-caller on offense and helping lift the unit up to one of the most lethal in the NFL.
Adding that mindset alongside former No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams as he continues to develop could be a key motivation for Chicago's pursuit of Johnson.
Count Williams himself among those who have been impressed with Johnson's success in Detroit. Williams got two chances to see Johnson's offense operate up-close, in a 23-20 loss to the Lions on Thanksgiving Day, and a 34-17 loss three weeks later at Soldier Field.
"I think it's been really cool to watch," Williams said of their most recent matchup. "It was fascinating to watch, because he had wrinkles for counters and things like that throughout the game. And so I think he's obviously done really well, and so it would be cool to see how that all goes down."
Johnson began his NFL coaching career as an offensive assistant with the Miami Dolphins in 2012 and has held the role as Lions offensive coordinator since 2022. Under Johnson, the Lions offense ranked first in total points and second in total yards this season. They were also second in the league in passing yards and rushing touchdowns.
Johnson also has interviewed for the Patriots' and Jaguars' head coaching vacancies and is expected to be interviewed for the Raiders' job as well.
As for Glenn, he also has plenty of appeal, particularly for a Chicago team that has a budding defense featuring corner Jaylon Johnson, defensive end Montez Sweat, and defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. Glenn had a Lions defense that was banged up by injuries, but still ranked seventh in total points allowed, and was a top-10 unit in takeaways. The 52-year-old has been in his current post since 2021.
Meantime, the Bears have interviewed five other candidates for their head coaching job:
- Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing
- Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver
- Former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll
- Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka
- Former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel
The Bears also are expected to interview several other candidates:
- Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores
- Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith
- Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury
- Former Stanford head coach and current Broncos senior personnel executive David Shaw
- Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken
- Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady
- Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell
- Former Panthers and Commanders head coach and former Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera
Interim Bears head coach Thomas Brown will also get an interview, and while it seems unlikely he'll get the job, he made his case on Monday to explain why he believes he deserves a shot.
"Them having a chance to see me in the building, something to me should be more impressive with everything else," Brown said. "The situation, I kind of had a chance to take over, having three different jobs in the same season, which I'm not sure has happened before in the history of football. The approach I've had every single day in the building. The mentality I brought to the group. Understand the expectations as far as everybody assumes stuff gets changed because you come in and snap your fingers. That's not how change happens. Change happens over time."
The Bears also sought permission to interview Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, whose contract is set to expire on Tuesday, but the Cowboys blocked Chicago from doing so. McCarthy has said his first preference is to stay in Dallas.