The Bears have added another offensive name to their search for a head coach.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports that the Bears have requested an interview with Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. The request is a formality since the Colts can’t block Arians from interviewing. As the regular season drew to a close, Arians said he was open to head coaching opportunities, but that he isn’t “just gonna run away” for any job.
Arians was a lot more than just the offensive coordinator for the Colts this year, of course. He guided the team to a 9-3 record as interim head coach while Chuck Pagano was away from the team fighting leukemia. It was the first time in Arians’ long coaching career that he filled the top spot and it’s no surprise that his work has resulted in interest about a permanent shot in the role.
Colts quarterback Andrew Luck made his feelings known about the prospect of Arians leaving for a head coaching job when asked what he’d tell teams about the job Arians did this season.
“Terrible. Just terrible,” Luck said, via Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star.
Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael has interviewed for the job in Chicago and the Bears have also expressed interest in talking to Buccaneers offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan, Packers offensive coordinator Tom Clements and Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.