Jim Caldwell, an experienced head coach and quarterback mentor, is getting a second interview with the Chicago Bears, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly. The Bears are also set to interview Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn for a second interview, according to a source.
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Jim Caldwell an option for multiple head coach positions?
In addition to the Bears, Caldwell is also a contender for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ head coaching vacancy, per sources. Caldwell, 67, interviewed last year for the Houston Texans job that went to David Culley, who the Texans fired after a 4-13 season.
A former Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts head coach, Caldwell has been a part of two Super Bowl winners. He served as the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator when they won the Super Bowl in 2012 and coached Super Bowl MVP quarterback Joe Flacco.
As assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach of the Colts squad that won the 2006 Super Bowl, Caldwell coached Peyton Manning.
“Jim is an outstanding person, period, and an offensive-minded teacher with so much insight into the game,” said John Wooten, a retired Browns All-Pro guard who blocked for Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown and was a Dallas Cowboys and Ravens executive. “Look at his records. Jim has always been an outstanding teacher as it relates to the offensive side of the football. He knows the mechanics of the quarterback position. He certainly deserves the opportunity.”
Caldwell’s career as a head coach
Caldwell has a 62-50 all-time record as a head coach. He went 36-28 with the Lions from 2015-17, making the playoffs his first and third seasons in Detroit. However, he went 0-2 in the postseason.
After one year under general manager Bob Quinn, Detroit fired Caldwell and replaced him with Matt Patricia (his former New England Patriots colleague) as Detroit’s head coach. The lions fired Quinn and Patricia in 2020.
After his tenure ended with the Lions in 2017, Caldwell interviewed with the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, and Cleveland Browns in 2018.
Caldwell was going to be in Miami as Brian Flores’ assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach but instead took a leave of absence to address health issues. Caldwell is healthy now.