Pete Carroll went 137-89-1 and won a Super Bowl during his 14 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. The franchise fired him after the 2023 season, and now the 73-year-old head coach reportedly aims to return to the NFL.
Carroll has reportedly expressed interest in the Chicago Bears’ head coach position, as it is arguably the most enticing job on the NFL coaching market. Despite the legendary head coach’s interest in coaching the Bears, former Chicago radio personality and NFL analyst Danny Parkins doesn’t believe it will be the right move for the NFC North team.
Danny Parkins Shuts Door on Pete Carroll Becoming Next Bears HC
Parkins, a big Bears fan, recently said Mike Vrabel is not the right candidate to become Chicago’s head coach. He said the same thing about Carroll on “Breakfast Ball” and further highlighted how the franchise needs a long-term solution at the head coach position to help Caleb Williams.
“Everyone who doesn’t have a job is interested in the Bears job. In fact, they’re interested in all of the jobs because they’re great jobs,” Parkins said. “The lowest-paid NFL head coach makes $5 million; the highest-paid makes $20 million. You don’t think Ron Rivera wants one of these jobs? You don’t think Rex Ryan wants one of these jobs? Of course, Pete Carroll is interested in this job.”
Parkins added, “Bill Belichick thought the Bears job was the best job available. … They’ve got cap space and a young, talented quarterback and a great city, and if you win there, you’re a king forever.”
The Fox Sports analyst further highlighted if Carroll gets back to the NFL, he will be by far the oldest head coach in the NFL (Andy Reid is the only coach over 65). He added that no head coach in the league’s history has won Super Bowls with different teams (as a head coach), which should be enough to shut the door on Carroll’s chances of becoming the Bears head coach.
"Everyone who doesn't have a job, is interested in the Bears' job." 😂
Give @DannyParkins a minute on Pete Carroll being interested in coaching the Chicago Bears 👀 pic.twitter.com/CDlbhLpvT4
— Breakfast Ball (@BrkfstBallOnFS1) December 26, 2024
“Maybe, just maybe, go find the long-term answer for Caleb Williams,” continued Parkins. “I’ll end this minute that way I ended the Mike Vrabel minute: hire Ben Johnson.”
Over the last few years, the teams around the league have prioritized hiring young head coaches. This is one of the reasons why Belichick accepted to go to North Carolina, as there might not have been enough interest for him among the teams. As a result, it will be hard for Carroll to return to the league, given how things ended in Seattle.
Ben Johnson Is Expected To Interview for Bears HC Job
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson remains the most coveted candidate in the upcoming coaching cycle. ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently mentioned that Johnson is interested in the Bears’ job and would be willing to interview at the right time.
In the past, the Lions OC indicated that he would interview only with teams that he thinks are a good organization. Due to this, the most challenging part of hiring Johnson was to bring him for an interview.
"I think Ben Johnson has interest in the Chicago Bears job..
I'm sure they're gonna request to interview him and I'm sure that he's gonna talk to them..
He's definitely in play and we'll see what happens from there" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/HKo3CDheO5
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 26, 2024
If Johnson is genuinely interested in the Bears, then Chicago has the easiest thing to do: hire him without seriously considering other candidates. The fans want him as the 38-year-old offensive coordinator to bring the best out of Williams, and the team desperately needs someone who can connect with their rookie quarterback.
Johnson has done a great job in Detroit with Jared Goff and the rest of the offense. The Bears already have some solid pieces, and it can be said that if they had a better coach, they would have had a much better record this year.
Ryan Poles, the Bears’ general manager, is under pressure to find the right head coach, and getting Johnson might be the best move for the franchise. The Lions OC is a much better fit than Mike Vrabel for a player like Williams, who needs an offensive-minded head coach to help him develop into a superstar quarterback.