Report: Bears Seek HC Interviews with Vikings' Brian Flores, Steelers' Arthur Smith

The Chicago Bears are full steam ahead on their search for a new head coach.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Bears had requested head coaching interviews with both Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that the team also requested to interview Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

In addition to Monken, Smith and Flores, the Bears have also requested to interview New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and current Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy.

Flores and Smith, who both have head coaching experience, have helped lead their respective teams to playoff appearances this season in their coordinator roles.

Chicago went 5-12 in 2024 despite a talented roster. The Bears selected quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and also have wide receivers D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and fellow 2024 first-round pick Rome Odunze as key offensive pieces.

Williams had some growing pains in 2024, though he dealt with an in-season coaching change after Matt Eberflus was fired following a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Detroit Lions that featured clock mismanagement on the final drive.

Flores has helped lead a disciplined unit with the Vikings that ranked in the top half of the league in total defense and the team went 14-3 and earned the top Wild Card spot in the NFC. He was previously the head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2019-2021, where he went 24-25 and led the team to two winning seasons.

Smith helped the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 10-7 record and found some statistical success with both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson at quarterback. The team's four-game losing skid to end the regular season does take some luster away from his performance this season, but a strong playoff performance could erase some of that,

He had previously served as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2021-2023, where he compiled an overall record of 21-30. While that tenure wasn't overly successful, his offensive mind could be intriguing for a team looking to maximize Williams' development.

Monken has been the Ravens offensive coordinator since 2023 and has seen significant explosion from quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry. He has significant coordinator experience but has never served as a head coach at the professional level.