The Bears accelerated their coaching search after Eddie George’s interview, paving the way for Ben Johnson’s potential hiring.
Chicago: The Bears were on a mission after they let go of coach Matt Eberflus. They wanted to find a new coach and were ready to explore all options.
Once the Lions’ season wrapped up unexpectedly, the Bears kicked their search into high gear. They were determined to act fast.
Sunday’s interview with Eddie George, the Tennessee State coach, was a game changer. It was a surprise pick, but it opened the door for the Bears to consider Ben Johnson.
They had planned the George interview for days, keeping it under wraps until it was reported after the Lions’ loss. This meeting set the stage for them to start talking to other coaches on Monday.
This approach was similar to what the Patriots did when they fired Jerod Mayo. They had to follow the Rooney Rule before making any moves, so they interviewed a couple of candidates before sealing the deal with Mike Vrabel.
The Bears took their time with the search, but they didn’t want to miss out on Johnson. The interview with George was crucial in making that happen.