Pete Carroll Interviews for Bears HC Role, Will Reportedly Meet with Raiders

Zach BacharContributor IJanuary 9, 2025

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The Chicago Bears interviewed former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll on Thursday as part of the team’s ongoing head coaching search.

Chicago Bears @ChicagoBearsWe have completed an interview with head coach candidate Pete Carroll. pic.twitter.com/n7G6txbX5y

Up next on the list is the Las Vegas Raiders, who will reportedly host the veteran coach for an interview next week, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Carroll helped lead the Seahawks to a record of 9-8 during his final year on the sidelines with the organization in 2023.

Chicago interviewed former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel on Wednesday, while NFL insider Josina Anderson reported that the Bears have also requested a meeting with Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

The Raiders, meanwhile, are still in the early stages of their coach search after firing Antonio Pierce. Former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh is among the list of candidates set to interview.

Las Vegas finished the year 4-13, completing a third straight season without a playoff appearance.

Carroll was with Seattle for 14 years, finishing with a record of 137-89-1 while winning Super Bowl XLVIII. Prior to his tenure with the Seahawks, he won a pair of national championships at USC while coaching at the school from 2001-09. One of the titles was later vacated.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Dec. 25 that Carroll was looking to return to coaching in 2025 and expressed interest in Chicago’s vacancy, including the opportunity to coach Caleb Williams after his rookie season.

“Chicago, with former USC quarterback Caleb Williams is appealing to Carroll, per sources,” Schefter wrote.

While the Seahawks failed to capture a division title in each of their final three seasons under Carroll, they still owned a record above .500 at the end of two years during that span. The ability to cultivate a winning environment should be a major factor for a Bears team that has only made the playoffs twice in the past 14 seasons.

Chicago fired head coach Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29 while in the midst of a six-game losing streak. The Bears ended up dropping 10 consecutive contests before defeating the Green Bay Packers in Week 18, ending the year at 5-12.

B/R Gridiron @brgridironBears on the wrong side of history again 😅 pic.twitter.com/cRQchcDDDW

As Chicago’s coaching search continues, Carroll is an intriguing choice if the team wants an experienced option alongside a young offense headlined by Williams.