With the Chicago Bears needing a new head coach in 2025, many names have emerged as potential candidates. Most recently, former Seattle Seahawks and USC head coach Pete Carroll’s name was mentioned as a possible candidate for the Bears head coaching job, for which Bears wide receiver, DJ Moore, is apparently on board. Following rumors, Moore is joining 670 The Score, give your thoughts on the possibility of the Bears bringing in Carroll.
“He’s respected and he’s done it at a high level,” Moore said. “Everyone should pay attention and listen. Because he already did it.
As a coach, Carroll is one of the top coaches potentially interested in the Bears’ open head coaching position.
Carroll began his coaching career in 1973 as a graduate assistant for the University of the Pacific, spending three years with the Tigers. Then, after stints at Arkansas, Iowa State, Ohio State and North Carolina State, Carroll would return to Pacific for one season in 1983 as defensive coordinator.
After his final season with Pacific, Carroll would make his first move into the NFL, joining the Buffalo Bills as defensive backs coach in 1984.
Shortly after, Carroll would get his first head coaching job with the New York Jets in 1994, leading them to a 6-10 record.
However, after a few years as the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers following his stint with the Jets, Carroll made his second attempt as a head coach, leading the New England Patriots from 1997 to 1999. In those three seasons, the Patriots were 27-21 under the second head coach.
Carroll’s next step was when his legacy truly began, when he joined the USC Trojans from 2001-09, coaching the team to a 97-19 overall record and cementing himself in franchise history. the NCAA.
That’s not where Carroll would stop, however.
After leaving a legacy at USC, he joined the Seahawks and coached them for 14 years. In that time, Carroll led the Seahawks to a 137-89-1 record, appearing in two Super Bowls and winning one.
Along with his two Super Bowl appearances, Carroll led Seattle to 10 playoff appearances in 14 years, nearly reaching the playoffs every season.
Former HC Pete Carroll ‘respected’ by Bears WR DJ Moore
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Now, going back to what Moore said, the Bears could definitely use a proven leader like Carroll to run the show.
However, it’s a tricky situation for a team looking to build around their No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams.
Given his sprightly age of 73, it’s difficult to choose between the older coach running the show and the newcomer with unknown potential.
As of Week 17 of the 2024 season, the Bears’ most likely head coaching candidates are Carroll, Ben Johnson and Mike Vrabel.
Of those three, Johnson has the highest upside, given his offensive mind and age, paired with a second-year quarterback with all the tools.
At the same time, Johnson’s abilities as a head coach are completely unknown. It could be great, or it could be horrible. Without having head coaching experience before, it’s a gamble.
On the other side of the spectrum, Carroll is much less of a gamble, given his extensive resume.
And after hearing what Moore had to say about him being the Bears’ next coach, the receiver doesn’t seem opposed to the former Seahawks head coach heading to Halas Halle.
