The Chicago Bears have left no stone unturned in their efforts to find a quality head coach for their football team. There is no bias involved. Background doesn’t matter. Skin color doesn’t matter. It’s also becoming clear that age doesn’t matter. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the team is expected to interview former Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell.
This is a surprise not because of his history but more of his future. Caldwell is 66-years old. On the older side for an NFL head coach. That said, it is hard to dispute his qualifications. In seven seasons between two franchises, he had a winning record five times and made the playoffs four times. Caldwell reached the Super Bowl his first year in 2009 with the Colts and went 11-5 his first year with Detroit. The best record that franchise had delivered since 1991.
There is no denying the man gets results.
A source close to Jim Caldwell says the former NFL head coach is expecting to be interviewed for the Chicago Bears head coaching job. Several NFL officials also say Caldwell – the former Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts head coach – is a presumed candidate for the Bears job.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 15, 2022
Caldwell furthers a growing trend for the Chicago Bears
He marks the sixth candidate they’ve lined up an interview with that has previous head coaching experience. The others are Brian Flores, Todd Bowles, Doug Pederson, Leslie Frazier, and Dan Quinn. It is apparent the organization is searching for somebody that is a leader of men but also has a solid track record. Caldwell fits that description. A 62-50 career record. By far the best run any Lions coach has had in over 30 years.
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He also has a background working with quarterbacks. He helped guide Peyton Manning to the best seasons of his career in the 2000s. Then he got two of the best seasons Matthew Stafford has ever had in 2015 and 2017. Last but not least, he elevated Joe Flacco to a Super Bowl MVP in 2012. If the Chicago Bears were looking for somebody that would know exactly what to do with Justin Fields, then Caldwell is one of those guys.