The reports are coming in fast as the Chicago Bears stack up interview requests with head coach candidates. It is becoming clear already that they are aiming at the biggest names available. No stone will go unturned. So naturally, they aim to meet with somebody from the defending Super Bowl champions. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network revealed that the team hopes to meet with Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
This shouldn’t be a surprise. Bowles’ stock skyrocketed since last season when he became the driving force behind the Bucs’ championship triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs. A game where his unit allowed just nine points. His units have ranked 8th and 5th the past two seasons in points allowed. Not only that but he also has previous head coaching experience, having spent four seasons with the New York Jets. A run many feel was ruined by more roster management.
The #Bears have requested permission to interview #Bucs DC Todd Bowles, source said. Bowles has also interviewed for the #Jaguars and will likely have others. A top candidate.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2022
Bowles also makes another thing clear.
Background doesn’t matter to the Chicago Bears. They don’t care if a candidate is offensive or defensive or black or white. They are determined to find the best possible leader for this franchise. Somebody that can command the respect of players. Bowles track record is hard to argue with. He’s had success everywhere he’s been as a coordinator. He even went 10-6 his first season with the Jets. The problem he ran into was not having a quarterback.
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Perhaps things could be different for him with Justin Fields to work with. Then again Bowles had a similar issue that Lovie Smith suffered from, constantly changing offensive coordinators. It will be interesting to see if he fields questions about that when the team gets a chance to speak with him. One has to wonder if he’s learned any lessons from what went wrong in New York. If he has, then the Bears would be getting a far better coach than seven years ago.