The Seattle Seahawks are set to face the Chicago Bears, which raises an intriguing question: Pete Carroll‘s former team against his potential new team?
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Carroll has shown interest in the Bears’ vacant head coaching position. Chicago fired Matt Eberflus following a disastrous clock management error, making him the first head coach the team has ever dismissed midseason.
Since being removed from his role as head coach and front office leader of the Seahawks in January, Carroll has remained relatively quiet. He mentioned in an interview with KJR that he plans to teach a class at USC next spring, though the subject hasn’t been disclosed.
While Carroll’s interest in the Bears job is known, it doesn’t guarantee mutual interest. The leading candidate for the position is likely Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, seen as a good fit for developing quarterback Caleb Williams. However, the Bears have historically brought in former Seahawks players and coaches, such as Shane Waldron, Kerry Joseph, Darrell Taylor, Travis Homer, Jacob Martin, and Jake Curhan, which could make Carroll a potential candidate.
As of now, the Bears, New York Jets (where Carroll coached in 1994), and New Orleans Saints all have open head coaching spots. With more firings expected after the regular season ends, the 73-year-old Carroll could have several opportunities to return to coaching, whether in Chicago or elsewhere.
