As the Bears continue their coaching search, here’s an option: a head coach with a winning record in 13 of 18 seasons, 11 playoff wins and a Super Bowl ring.
Pete Carroll, who left the Seahawks after the 2023 season, is interested in returning to coaching at age 73 and has expressed interest in the Bears, ESPN reported Wednesday.
While the Bears likely won’t find a more accomplished candidate than Carroll, the early favorites for the job are Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Carroll is a defensive-minded coach, but his experience could offset that. As head coach of the Seahawks and Patriots, he oversaw a top-10 offense nine times.
Carroll got his start in the NFL as a defensive backs coach for the Bills in 1984. He was head coach of the Jets in ’94, coached the Patriots from ’97 through ’99 and the Seahawks from 2010 through ’23. He also had final say on personnel in Seattle, which could be a challenging negotiation with the Bears given that president Kevin Warren has publicly backed general manager Ryan Poles.
“I could coach tomorrow,” Carroll told Seattle radio station KJR 93.3 in August. “I’m physically in the best shape I’ve been in a long time. I’m ready to do all the activities… but I’m not desiring it at this point.”
The Bears host Carroll’s former team, the Seahawks, on Thursday. The Bears are 4-11, while the Seahawks are 8-7 and fighting for a playoff spot.