The Chicago Bears had three candidates to keep their eyes on during the divisional round matchup Saturday night between the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders.
The Bears sent out requests to Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Chicago also sent a request to Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
The Bears interviewed Glenn and Johnson virtually during the Lions’ bye week. Kingsbury wasn’t eligible to meet with the Bears until Washington secured a divisional round appearance.
The Commanders got the best of the Lions on Saturday night, defeating Detroit 45-31 at Ford Field in front of a crowd of 64,774.
Kliff Kingsbury didn’t agree to an interview
Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network offered an important update on where the Bears stand with Kingsbury following the Commanders’ win. Kingsbury has not interviewed with Chicago or any other NFL team.
“Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury has requests from the Bears and Saints, but has not interviewed for any head coaching job,” Pelissero wrote. “After that performance, other requests could be coming. Meanwhile, DC Joe Whitt Jr. will interview for the Jets head coaching job tomorrow morning.”
#Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury has requests from the #Bears and #Saints, but has not interviewed for any head coaching job. After that performance, other requests could be coming.
Meanwhile, DC Joe Whitt Jr. will interview for the #Jets head coaching job tomorrow morning.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 19, 2025
The Chicago Bears might have to wait
Pelissero was careful not to write that Kingsbury refused the Bears’ request. The 45-year-old coach could decide to interview with Chicago once Washington’s postseason is over. He might not want to deal with any distractions while the Commanders are chasing a Super Bowl.
Or maybe he doesn’t want to interview with the Bears again, especially with the way CEO Kevin Warren and general manager Ryan Poles are conducting their search. Chicago wasted Kingsbury’s time last offseason on a fact-finding mission about Caleb Williams before giving Shane Waldton their OC position.
Why would Kingsbury want to waste time on a team that has 20 other interviews this cycle after playing games with him in Los Angeles in the last cycle?
With the Lions’ loss, the Bears can interview Glenn and Johnson again on Monday.
At least one of those appears to be a serious candidate.
Credit:
© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
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