The Chicago Bears’ head coach position is being regarded as one of the most sought-after openings in the NFL, and recent reports confirm growing interest in the role. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has expressed strong interest in returning to coaching and is eyeing the Bears’ vacancy.
Former Seahawks Super-Bowl winning HC Pete Carroll has expressed interest in the Bears HC job and would like to return to the sideline next season, league sources tell ESPN.
Carroll is one of four head coaches to have led teams to both a national championship and the Super… pic.twitter.com/qs6g4v1lTA
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 25, 2024
Carroll, who previously led the Seahawks to Super Bowl glory, has also made a significant impact at USC, guiding the team to multiple national championships. He is one of the few coaches in NFL history, including Barry Switzer, Jimmy Johnson, and Jim Harbaugh, to have claimed both a national championship and a Super Bowl title.
With 18 years of experience as an NFL head coach, Carroll’s coaching tenure includes stints with the New York Jets, New England Patriots, and a remarkable 14 years with the Seattle Seahawks, where he posted a 170-120-1 record. His standout years in Seattle saw the rise of quarterback Russell Wilson and the legendary “Legion of Boom” defense, which was instrumental in the Seahawks’ dominant 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.
After stepping down following the 2023 season, Carroll was replaced by Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Despite this, Carroll’s name continues to surface in connection with the Bears’ head coach opening, with Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson also reportedly showing interest.
Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren recently outlined the qualities the team is seeking in a new head coach: high standards, toughness, creativity, intelligence, and the ability to create a championship-winning environment. Carroll’s leadership style and experience make him a natural fit for this vision.
Interestingly, the Bears are set to face off against Carroll’s former team, the Seahawks, in a Thursday Night Football game the day after Christmas.