The Bears search for a head coach is on.

Make no mistake about it. That’s the case even with five games left on the docket. GM Ryan Poles and team president Kevin Warren made their choice to move on from Matt Eberflus during the season, the type of decision never made in franchise history.

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Now it’s time to start looking for the next head coach.

They obviously can’t start interviews when most of those they’ll be looking for are currently employed by other football teams. There’s plenty of scouting and background work and discussions to be had about the type of person they’d like to lead this on-field product into the next chapter in this franchise.

Recent history has featured repeating rolling hills of ineptitude, of highly drafted busts at quarterback and coaches kept a year too long and fired at awkward times.

Poles and Warren will try to break the cycle, and they’ll need chairman George McCaskey to create a big budget to get the right individual.

It’ll take the type of person on the list below to get that done. While we’ll see a billion listicles about guys they could target until they make a hire, these early attempts are an attempt to match the qualities and pedigree of the candidates with what the Bears need after (finally) getting the quarterback piece right by taking Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick.

The Bears need a few things in this hire:

– A track record of respected leadership for the modern player

– Someone who knows how to manage in-game situations

– A brilliant offensive mind or someone who can acquire one

Here are a few names who could check those boxes, which Eberflus did not and it cost Chicago dearly this season. The Bears certainly have a list of candidates, but there’s a lot more background work and scouting ahead before finalizing individuals they’d like to interview. So, dare yourself to dream over taking it to heart that these few names are on a short list somewhere in Poles’ office (though some certainly are).

Mike Vrabel

Recent stops

• Consultant, Cleveland Browns (2024)
• Tennessee Titans HC (2018-23)
• Houston Texans DC ((2017)

Thoughts: If we’re looking for a no-nonsense head coach who knows how to be the CEO of a football team, Vrabel is that type of guy. He did a ton in Tennessee without a superstar quarterback, and built teams known for tough defense and running the football well. Even with Williams here, these are the Chicago Bears. Defense and ball control will always be part of their identity.

Vrabel could fuse those elements together and will be a strong candidate on the open market. If he has some intriguing offensive coordinators to bring with him, the Bears could strongly consider who knows how to win football games and build tough teams capable of playing deep into the winter.

Ben Johnson

Recent stops

• Offensive coordinator, Detroit Lions (2022-present)
• Passing game coordinator, Detroit Lions (2021)

Thoughts: If Johnson is willing to join the Bears and chairman George McCaskey is willing to write a check big enough, I think Johnson should be the guy. It’s also interesting to see whether he’ll bounce if Detroit doesn’t win the Super Bowl. He has been with the Lions since 2019 and has stayed even with HC opportunities available in the past. Is this is his time leave?

Johnson’s a talented offensive schemer who knows how to run a unit the right way. He’s well respected across the league, so he should be able to attract at top defensive coordinator to help run a team with him.

Ultimately, though, it comes down to this: pairing Johnson with Williams is an ideal scenario. Johnson’s so innovative, but in ways that intrigue the Bears. He’s committed to running the ball well and can use the Lions as a great example for how to build a roster well.

It’s believed that he’ll be the top candidate on the market, assuming he’s available, but won’t be signable until the end of what could be a long playoff run. Will the Bears wait? What happens if they do and don’t get him?

Thomas Brown

Recent stops

• Interim HC/offensive play caller, Chicago Bears (2024-present)
• Offensive coordinator, Carolina Panthers (2023)
• Rams assistant head coach (2021-22)

Thoughts: Brown is well respected in the Bears locker room and throughout Halas Hall. He has worked wonders with Williams and the Bears offense since taking over as offensive play caller and wouldn’t have received the interim HC tag of the team didn’t think him capable of leading a group of men.

While some interim head coaches are placeholders, I truly believe Brown will be strong candidate and finalist if the end of this season goes well. We don’t know how he’ll fare as a game manager and play caller at the same time, something to watch down the stretch. If he handles those responsibilities well and the Bears start winning, there could be a groundswell of support to keep Brown around.

Aaron Glenn

Recent stops

• Defensive coordinator, Detroit Lions (2021-present)
• Defensive backs coach, New Orleans Saints (2016-2020)

Thoughts: Glenn made the rounds on the interview circuit last season and will do so again after the Lions are done. While lots of credit for Lions success goes to Ben Johnson and head coach Dan Campbell, folks around the league know how integral Glenn is to Detroit’s performance.

Who he can bring along as his offensive coordinator is a huge thing, especially for someone who hasn’t been a head coach before, leaving game management as an unknown.

Kliff Kingsbury

Recent stops

• Offensive coordinator, Washington Commanders (2024-present)
• Senior offensive analyst, USC (2023)
• Head coach, Arizona Cardinals (2019-22)

Thoughts: Kingsbury has a history with Williams, after spending time working with him at USC last season. They have a strong relationship and he could be the guy to formulate an offense that helps him succeed. Kingsbury also has tons of head coaching experience at the college and NFL level, so he gets that aspect of it.

One word of caution: Kingsbury has had runs of success in the NFL, including this season with Jayden Daniels and the Commanders, but air has often run out of the balloon over time. That can’t happen with this hire. It needs lasting power in scheme and command of the locker room.

Joe Brady

Recent stops

• Offensive coordinator, Carolina Panthers (2020-21)
• Quarterbacks coach, Buffalo Bills (2022-23)
• Offensive coordinator, Buffalo Bills (2024-present)

Thoughts: This is another young offensive mind on a winning team who will get his shot to enter the interview cycle. The Bills are humming without the usual standouts at receiver, and Josh Allen is playing as well as ever. He also helped the Bills rebound after Ken Dorsey was fired as offensive coordinator last season. He’s fairly young at 35, but that’s the coaching trend. If some of the top candidates are unavailable or carry a massive price, Brady could be a good option. He’s definitely someone to be interviewed.

Marcus Freeman

Recent stops

• Head coach, Notre Dame (2021-present)
• Defensive coordinator, Notre Dame (2021)
• Defensive coordinator, Cincinnati (2017-20)

Thoughts: CBS Insider Jonathan Jones mentioned on Sunday that Freeman could be a consideration in the NFL coaching cycle and could fit what the Bears are looking for in a coaching candidate. He has commanded the Irish well and brought them back to prominence. There’s an issue with him not having NFL experience, but having strong connections and a plan for the franchise might make this somewhat of a dark horse candidate a real contender.