Pete Carroll expressed interest in the Bears’ head coaching job, but the longtime Seahawks HC’s name was not included in the initial wave of interview requests. It is now.
[RELATED: Pete Carroll Interested In Bears’ HC Job]
The Bears are planning to meet with the Super Bowl-winning coach Thursday, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler report. Carroll attempted to land another job after his Seattle ouster last year but did not. The veteran leader’s age (73) stands to present issues, as it did for Bill Belichick, but the Bears are going to see what the experienced leader can bring to the table.
Reports about Carroll’s NFL future haven’t necessarily been consistent. Following his Seattle ouster, there were rumblings that the long-time coach was moving towards retirement, anyway. On the flip side, reports indicated that Carroll intended to remain in his post as head coach of the Seahawks in 2024, but efforts to convince the organization to allow that to take place were ultimately unsuccessful.
While Carroll didn’t push for a new gig during the 2024 campaign, he recently resurfaced in the HC carousel, as the former Super Bowl champ was connected to the Bears gig towards the end of the regular season. He’ll now have a chance to pitch himself to Chicago’s brass, although it remains to be seen if the organization is simply doing their due diligence. While the Bears have cast a wide net in their search for a Matt Eberflus replacement, there’s been a sentiment that they’re seeking an offensive mind who can help develop former No. 1 pick Caleb Williams. Carroll’s defensive pedigree wouldn’t necessarily match with that gameplan.
Of course, Carroll’s decades in the NFL means he has plenty of connections, so it shouldn’t be tough for the coach to find a worthy offensive lieutenant. Carroll also helped transform former third-round pick Russell Wilson into one of the best QBs in the NFL, so it’s not like the coach is completely incapable of guiding a young signal-caller.
While Carroll’s age could work against him, he also had an obvious experience advantage over his fellow candidates. The long-time coach has 18 years of head coaching experience in stops with the Jets, Patriots, and Seahawks. He’s only earned one Super Bowl ring, but he also earned a second NFC Championship, and he owns a career playoff record of 11-11. His final seasons in Seattle left a bit to be desired, as the Seahawks went 25-26 with a single one-and-done playoff appearance between 2021 and 2023.
Still, there’s no denying that Carroll represents one of the most respected names available on the market. Assuming the Bears are looking for an immediate return to legitimacy, Carroll would certainly add some credibility to the organization.