The franchise has cast a wide net in interviewing candidates, including with the Lions’ Johnson (and their defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn). The list goes on: Mike McCarthy, Pete Carroll, Ron Rivera, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Bears interim coach Thomas Brown and nearly a dozen more men.
They even want to talk to Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell. The only coach they’ve interviewed who’s now tied down elsewhere is Mike Vrabel, who’s been hired by the Patriots.
So Williams waits. It’s given him extra time to think about what he wants in his next head coach.
“Strong-minded. A leader of men. I think that’s a cool thing with what y’all got over there in Detroit,” Williams said when asked what he’s looking for, pointing to Amon-Ra St. Brown’s head coach, Dan Campbell.
Does that mean Johnson or Glenn could fit the bill? Williams seemed to tip his hand on his preference, offense vs. defense — but either way, he’s clearly hoping for a long-term commitment.
“Selfishly, I want an offensive-minded guy so I can build with him and be with that coach for the next 19, 17, 15 years,” Williams said, “so I can also learn and grow and things like that from him and what he’s seen and what he’s gone through with other QBs or been around.”
Williams’ rookie season had some high moments but clearly was not a smooth ride. He witnessed firsthand the firings of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and head coach Matt Eberflus, which came in the midst of a 5-12 season. Williams said he wasn’t bent on an offensive coach, however, because of what he saw last season — including what unfolded in the Bears’ crushing loss on Thanksgiving in Detroit, where Eberflus appeared to mishandle the game clock at the end.
“If we get an overall, like, grand-scheme coach (who) is good with time management, good with the clock, good with helping control the game … It’s a big factor, obviously,” he said. “In our game when we played the first time in (Detroit), big factor was being able to help control the clock.
“And then helping find the right guys to win championships. That’s the only goal that I have for my NFL career is to go win a championship — and championships.”
All the Bears need to do now is hire that coach. And get Williams’ new number to whomever it ends up being.