The race to land the coveted Chicago Bears head coach role is hotting up.
Matt Eberflus became the franchise’s first-ever midseason sacking on Friday.
The departing boss paid the price for making poor decisions late in games that ultimately held back a talented roster.
It is an attractive job and NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed there are a number of high-profile names being considered.
Interim head coach Thomas Brown will have a chance to impress for the rest of the season, with Detroit Lions coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn in the mix alongside former Tennessee Titans boss Mike Vrabel.
The Bears‘ No. 1 priority will be getting the best out of franchise quarterback Caleb Williams, who has shown flashes of potential in a rocky rookie season.
That could give offensive minds Johnson and Brown a leg up on the competition, as well as open the door to a reunion.
Kliff Kingsbury took over as USC’s senior offensive analyst last year after being fired by the Arizona Cardinals.
He worked with former Trojans standout Williams and that relationship may result in a second chance at a head coaching role.
“An interesting name to watch, Kliff Kingsbury,” explained Rapoport ahead of the NFL’s Sunday action.
“He worked with Williams at USC, now thriving as OC with the Commanders, certainly one to keep an eye on.”
Kingsbury’s time working with Williams in California earned him an offensive coordinator job in Washington.
He has guided Jayden Daniels, who went off the board right after No.1 pick Williams, to odds-on favorite in the Rookie of the Year race.
The Commanders flew out of the blocks with a 7-2 start before starting to hit trouble.
But Daniels’ ruthless demolition of the Titans in Week 13 has come at the perfect time for Kingsbury.
In the first half alone the dual-threat rookie completed 14 of 15 passes for 105 yards and two scores, as well as adding 30 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Kingsbury also worked with Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech and enjoyed some success in developing Kyler Murray.
Pat McAfee also brought up the former Cardinals head coach’s name when Eberflus’ position was under threat earlier this month.
“Is (the next Bears head coach) another guy calling plays for a team with a dominant, historic offense and another rookie quarterback in Kliff Kingsbury?” McAfee asked rhetorically. “It could be.”
But Commanders fans were less enthusistic.
“No thanks on Kingsbury. If offensive, it’s Johnson. If defensive, it’s Vrabel,” wrote one on X.
“Kingsbury would be a fail. He fades out every season. Go with Brian Johnson please,” added another.
“Honest to god if we hire Kliff Kingsbury Im revoking my fan card that might just be enough for me,” posted a third.
