The Bears’ head coaching candidate list is moving toward 20 names. One of those — Mike Vrabel — is out of the mix, but another (Mike McCarthy) could be back in after the latter’s separation with the Cowboys. A new name is also in the mix.
An intra-divisional request went out Monday, with ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reporting the Bears want to speak with Packers OC Adam Stenavich about their HC job. Because this is a request for a head coaching position, the Packers cannot block it. Stenavich joins a crowded field for the Chicago job.
Stenavich, 41, has been the Packers’ OC since 2022. That offseason featured the team promote its offensive line coach rather than lose him to the Broncos, as then-Denver HC Nathaniel Hackett wanted to bring him along with a promotion. That turned out to be a pivotal interview block, given what happened with Hackett in Denver. While Matt LaFleur has called plays throughout his Green Bay tenure, Stenavich has been a key part of the team’s transition from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love.
This is Stenavich’s first HC interview request; it would stand to reason he will honor it and meet with Bears brass soon. The Packers have not seen Love morph into a superstar at the pace Rodgers did, but the talented passer is 2-for-2 in playoff berths as a starter. While Love still has work to do, the Packers have done well to groom a promising cast of wide receivers. They regularly used four rookie-contract cogs — Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks — this season, and Tucker Kraft also blossomed into a quality tight end during his second year.
The Packers became the rare team with four 600-plus-yard receivers this season, and the team climbed to eighth in points and fifth in yardage during their 11-6 campaign — one that ended with Love having none of his top three wideouts still standing. Stenavich having never called plays could make him a dark-horse candidate, as bigger names are on Chicago’s interview list. But the team is conducting a wide-ranging search. It is GM Ryan Poles‘ first true search, as Matt Eberflus was hired shortly after the GM was in 2022.
Via PFR’s Head Coaching Search Tracker, here is how Chicago’s search looks as of Monday:
- Bill Belichick, head coach (North Carolina): Expressed interest
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interview requested
- Thomas Brown, interim head coach (Bears): Interviewed 1/13
- Matt Campbell, head coach (Iowa State): Interview expected
- Pete Carroll, former head coach (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/9
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): Interview requested
- Marcus Freeman, head coach (Notre Dame): Team wants to interview
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/11
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/11
- Mike Kafka, offensive coordinator (Giants): Interviewed 1/9
- Kliff Kingsbury, offensive coordinator (Commanders): Interview requested
- Mike McCarthy, head coach (Cowboys): Interview blocked
- Todd Monken, offensive coordinator (Ravens): Interview requested
- Drew Petzing, offensive coordinator (Cardinals): Interviewed 1/8
- Ron Rivera, former head coach (Commanders): Interviewed 1/12
- David Shaw, senior personnel executive (Broncos): Interview requested
- Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator (Steelers): Interview requested
- Adam Stenavich, offensive coordinator (Packers): Interview requested
- Mike Vrabel, former head coach (Titans): Interviewed 1/8; hired by Patriots
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/9
I get the appeal of bringing in an offensive line guru for the Bears, but after Getsy and Hackett, counting on a member of the Packers’ offensive staff who isn’t LaFleur to shape your offense is a tough sell, even if he deserves more credit for the Packers’ success than those other two.
Just an investigative exercise. Know thy enemy type of thing.
Worked out great for them with Getsy.
This is getting to be ridiculous…yeah, I get they want to explore every possibility but how many more does it take to drill down on the next coach. I realize that now that Mike McCarthy is available he will get added to the list without any restrictions imposed by Jerry ” Death by Jerry” Jones and it may be worth the wait but it isn’t going to matter because Caleb Williams is not going to be worth his draft status as the number one pick overall and the Bears will continue their history of not being able to develop a Quarterback regardless of who the next coach is and that includes Ben Johnson.
When their updated list comes out of who they are interested in or who they have interviewed I’m sure it will include the Maytag Repair Man, Jake from State Farm and the Geico Lizard.
It’s ridiculous to interview 20 candidates. How can anyone of them take it seriously, knowing there are 19 others?
Please Chicago… take him.
George hasn’t gotten all the feels yet, so the search continues…
20 candidates and … still counting. Only da Bears.
I just got a call from Kevin Warren. The Bears want to interview me for HC… I’m an electrician…