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From the moment the Bears fired coach Matt Eberflus, they were committed to conducting an extensive and deliberate search for a new coach.
From the moment the Lions’ season came to an unexpected end on Saturday night, the Bears appear to have shifted their operation into overdrive.
The key to the surprise conclusion of their operation on Monday was: Interview on Sunday Tennessee State coach Eddie George. With former Panthers and Captains coach Ron Rivera interviewing in person, the face-to-face interview with George (a surprise candidate, to say the least) became the second in-person interview for a minority candidate, paving the way for the Bears. To move on Johnson.
The Bears planned to interview George days in advance. Although it was a secret until Jay Glazer reported it on Fox’s postgame show after the Lions’ loss, it was decided (we’re told) several days ago. Sunday’s session allowed them to begin meeting in person with other teams’ contract coaches on Monday — and hire one, if they choose to do so.
It’s an evolution of what the Patriots have done. In firing Jerrod Mayo and going straight to Mike Vrabel, they had to abide by the Rooney Rule before acting. On the Tuesday after the regular season concluded, they interviewed both Byron Leftwich and Pep Hamilton, opening the door to a deal with Vrabel ASAFP.
And while the Bears were already engaged in an exhaustive, time-consuming search (as a source familiar with the situation explained, Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich got the same kind of opportunities Johnson did during virtual interviews), they swooped in before that. Someone else could influence Johnson.
And Eddie George’s interview on Sunday allowed that to happen.
