correct… I believe some “unofficial” stuff can take place but I have a strong feeling this gets done and announced once the Lions eliminated from the playoffs.
Breer saying Johnson likely only interviews with Chi and NE. All signs point to NE hiring Vrabel. Should be an easy one for the McCaskeys.
Vrabel is my 2nd choice but if it means eliminating NE from the potential pool of Ben Johnson destinations, I hope Vrabel ends up in NE.
I want Ben Johnson here just so I could finally put to rest the theory of whether we're cursed or not. Caleb looks to be the real deal, and Lions guys are on record that Johnson builds his offense to suit the strength of his personnel. I still don't really understand why people are high on Vrabel. Titans were happy to see him go and he had prime Henry and AJ Brown. If we were looking for a strong head coach that could lead a culture change we should have been all in on Belichik, at least he has the history. Bring Johnson in, draft OLine and a speedy WR, and let's lose some shootouts. At least it would be fun.
Bears Requested Interviews Thomas Brown, Bears Int HC Mike McCarthy, Cowboys HC Mike Vrabel, Former Titans HC Ben Johnson, Lions OC Joe Brady, Bills OC Todd Monken, Ravens OC Drew Petzing, Cardinals OC Mike Kafka, Giants OC Arthur Smith, Steelers OC Aaron Glenn, Lions DC Anthony Weaver, Dolphins DC Vance Joseph, Broncos DC Brian Flores, Vikings DC David Shaw, Broncos Exec
A couple of things to keep in mind… 1) This is the first time Poles is running a coaching search. It makes logical sense that this list is large. 2) some of these names look like “let me help a friend keep his name in coaching” 3) some of these guys might be out of a job because of coaching changes or may be looking to pair with another coach on this list to be a DC or OC. Could be asking an Anthony Weaver if he’s willing to work with head coach Ben Johnson. 4) Some orgs will allow a former coach poach other coaches to fill a staff. When we hired Nagy the Chiefs would not allow that. They would not clear interviews with any staff outside of Nagy so he had to build a staff with a bunch of coaches he didn’t work with at KC
McCaskey sideswiping every tough question was so on brand only to be asked about the fan's chanting for him to sell the team and his answer was to point out how the fans are disloyal and allowed Lions fans to invade our home stadium. Asked what has changed in the process and what has been learned in the 14 years he's failed... "I trust the relationship Warren and Poles have" This franchised is going to luck into success because the head is rotten
Poles mentioned that Cunningham wont be part of the coach hiring process to allow him to interview for jobs. I'm thinking they know he's going to get a GM job somewhere.
It does seem like Vrabel is a lock for NE with maybe an outside shot at LV. Either way I don't see him being the HC in Chicago and I'm very glad that is the case. I don't know if Ben Johnson will be successful here but he's the #1 option and THE guy we should hire. And it does seem like he will be the choice.
I mean... Didn't they already have the candidates narrowed down by the time he was GM? Would have been cool if he told them to fuck off, but a rookie GM is most likely not going to rock that boat Then again, most owners are going give the GM complete control
A normal human would be praising the fans for continuing to show up throughout the season. I did not understand why bears fans continued to torture themselves by watching the shit product that McCaskey is completely responsible for. Red zone at home is a much better option. And I don't believe we'll luck into success. We either hire the obvious candidate or we go after a retread and stink
Our entire organization is so fucked... Let's say we hire the obvious candidate (Johnson) and shit goes great next year. Poles is out of contract, so the guy who was responsible for bringing in all the players and making his first legit coaching hire (Johnson) now can walk... This org. is just fucking terrible from the top down.
Warren basically said the stadium project is moving forward and it seems like its going to be on the Lake Front property... I find this to be a terrible idea, he said we should start hearing more news in March/April and shovels in ground this year. Given all the drama with the current Mayor in Chicago I don't know how the Lake Front works... I also don't think the tax issue at Arlington is also in a good spot. We shall see.
I’m fully in do whatever Ben Johnson wants… so if he wants his front office… bye bye Poles. I think Poles should be extended if you’re allowing him to lead this coaching search.
And the ladies of Chicago thought Eberflus was a hunk after his make over. Johnson’s wife is going to have to equip him with an ankle monitor.
It’d be neat if they can talk him into a “special advisor” role. The more successful adults in the building the better.
When can they give a second interview to Johnson? Do they have to wait until the Lions are out or between the NFC and Super Bowl?
Virtual window is opening for playoff coaches Any coach in the superbowl can have interviews during the off-week between the championship games and Superbowl
Here are the rules that apply for the Bears and a playoff coach The NFL has a series of rules for head coach interviews: Teams with open head-coaching positions were able to begin requesting interviews with candidates from other teams on Jan. 6. Those interviews must happen virtually before the end of divisional-round games. Last year, the NFL recommended that teams with open head-coaching positions used this “virtual interview window” to set up initial interviews so those teams would be eligible to request a second interview with a candidate from a Super Bowl team during the bye week. Note: Teams may not interview employees of other teams that didn’t make the postseason until the third day after the employer teams’ Week 18 game (for example, Jan. 7 for a game on Jan. 4, or Jan. 8 for a game on Jan. 5). These are the interview requirements for coaches of teams in the postseason: If the employer team has a bye in the wild-card round, virtual interviews may begin three days after Week 18 games and must happen before the end of wild-card games. If the employer team is participating in the wild-card round, virtual interviews may begin three days after the team’s wild-card game and must happen before the end of the divisional-round games. Starting the day after the divisional round ends: Teams can conduct in-person or virtual interviews with candidates employed by other NFL teams whose seasons ended. Teams cannot hold initial interviews with candidates employed by teams participating in the AFC and NFC championship games until the end of the employer team’s season. A candidate’s employer team may not voluntarily grant permission for those interviews. During the bye week between conference championships and the Super Bowl: Second interviews, either in-person or virtual, are allowed with head coach candidates employed by teams in the Super Bowl. The team(s) conducting the interviews must notify the employer team(s). Contact with head coach candidates in the Super Bowl is not allowed from during the Super Bowl week until the day after the game. Additionally, no contract signing, contract announcement or contract agreement is permitted until after the end of the employer team’s season.
Kraft loves Vrabel. He isn't firing Mayo after a season if Vrabel isn't the replacement. I saw a couple of people hinting at NE getting the deal done with Vrabel before the week is over. Brady loves Vrabel and has pushed for him, I would image Vrabel may get more front office power in LV. But LV flipping on its coach is interesting and maybe it suggests that the interview Vrabel had with Kraft didn't go so well since that took place a few days ago.
Am I the only one that thinks the whole Johnson/Poles dynamic is going to be weird as hell if he's hired? The thought process is if he likes Poles, then Poles is extended. That's an.... interesting power position.
Bears Requested Interviews Thomas Brown, Bears Int HC Mike McCarthy, Cowboys HC Mike Vrabel, Former Titans HC Pete Carrol, Former Seahawks HC Ben Johnson, Lions OC Joe Brady, Bills OC Todd Monken, Ravens OC Drew Petzing, Cardinals OC Mike Kafka, Giants OC Arthur Smith, Steelers OC Aaron Glenn, Lions DC Anthony Weaver, Dolphins DC Vance Joseph, Broncos DC Brian Flores, Vikings DC David Shaw, Broncos Exec
I'd like to point out how completely insane it is that Poles is at the forefront of this decision making process and looking at a possible contract extension.
It’s great to wake up and see both national and local media lambasting the bears including their ridiculous interview list
I'm fully on the Joe Brady train if Johnson doesn't work out. That dude has been part of great offense after great offenses since his days at PSU to LSU and now in Buffalo. He saved McDermott's job this year.
They said in their end of the year presser that they’d make a social post after each interview because poles didn’t want to (or couldn’t) name everyone they had reached out for an interview