The Chicago Bears have signaled massive changes are coming to the organization after firing General Manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy on Monday, and already there are a slew of candidates that have been linked to the open positions.
Team Chairman George McCaskey is spearheading the search for replacements for both Pace and Nagy, and is aiming to put together a leadership team that will transform the club's roster in the coming years.
Here are some of the candidates the Bears are reportedly pursuing for both jobs:
Head Coaching Candidates:
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Brian Daboll
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Bears are one of at least two teams that has requested permission to speak to the Buffalo Bills’ offensive coordinator for their open head coaching position, joining the Miami Dolphins in that pursuit:
Daboll has been instrumental in the development of Josh Allen in Buffalo, having worked with the Bills since 2018. He was named the Associated Press’ NFL Assistant Coach of the Year after the 2020 season.
Leslie Frazier
Speaking of Bills coordinators, Buffalo’s defensive coordinator and assistant head coach is also on the Bears’ radar, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano:
Frazier served as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings for four seasons, going 21-32-1 in those campaigns and leading them to one playoff appearance. He also played for the Bears between 1981 and 1985.
Prior to joining the Bills in 2017, Frazier also worked with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baltimore Ravens.
Doug Pederson
The Bears are apparently interested in chatting with a former Super Bowl-winning coach, as they’re expected to interview Pederson according to Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune:
Pederson served as the offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs from 2013 to 2015, then became head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. He led them to three playoff appearances in five seasons, including a 13-3 2017 season that saw the Eagles capture the Super Bowl championship.
In five seasons in Philadelphia, Pederson posted a 42-37-1 record, but was let go after a last-place finish in the 2020 season.
Sports
General Manager Candidates:
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
The Bears have requested to interview a pair of Cleveland Browns executives in their search for Pace’s replacement, including VP of Football Operations Adofo-Mensah, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero:
Adofo-Mensah worked for the San Francisco 49ers prior to joining the Browns, and also has experience in working on Wall Street in various capacities after graduating from Princeton.
Morocco Brown
The Bears are very familiar with the Indianapolis Colts’ director of college scouting, as he spent seven seasons with the Bears from 2001 to 2007. He is closely linked with Colts GM Chris Ballard, who is one of the most well-respected executives in the game:
According to USA Today, Brown interviewed for the Atlanta Falcons’ GM position last season, and is considered a top candidate on the executive market.
Glenn Cook
According to ESPN’s Kimberley Martin, the Bears have also requested permission to interview Browns VP of Player Personnel Glenn Cook:
Cook has had plenty of experience with talented player personnel groups with the Green Bay Packers and the Colts.
