Written by Michael Silver, Kevin Fishbein and Zach Powell
As the Chicago Bears continue their search for the franchise’s 19th head coach, the Bears’ quest continues to expand. The Bears interviewed Tennessee coach and former NFL star Eddie George in person for the position on Sunday, the team announced.
George will serve as the third candidate to be interviewed in person this week as Chicago continues to ramp up its search. Chicago recently contacted the Pittsburgh Steelers, inquiring about longtime coach Mike Tomlin, but the Steelers shut down the request. The Bears have completed interviews with former Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy and former Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera.
We have completed an interview with head coach candidate Eddie George. pic.twitter.com/0Gk6JHJvAx
– Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 19, 2025
George, 51, was hired by Tennessee in 2021 as the Tigers’ 22nd head coach. George holds a 24-22 record over four seasons and led HBCU to a 9-4 record last season, including an FCS playoff appearance and Big South/Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year honors.
A Heisman Trophy winner at Ohio State, George was drafted in the first round by the Houston Oilers and earned Rookie of the Year honors before the franchise moved to Tennessee. George appeared in one Super Bowl and four Pro Bowls with the Titans, played for the Cowboys in 2004 and officially retired in 2006.
George and Piers have a previous relationship
At the beginning of the search, Bears general manager Ryan Bowles said, “There’s going to be some names that you wouldn’t expect that will surprise you because we’re digging deeper than ever before.” George fits this category.
There is some familiarity with the Bears and George, who spent time with the team in 2023 as part of the Bill Walsh Coaching Fellowship.
“I actually talked to Eddie to our football team last week, he’s a future Hall of Famer and the experience he brings,” former Bears coach Matt Eberflus said during the 2023 webcast. “Our guys actually got a lot of information from him and were constantly asking him questions. So it was great to have him around.”
George has head coaching experience at the college level and was a star player in the NFL, but it would be a big leap to take over the Bears.
George’s interview means the Bears have met the Rooney Rule, which allows them to hire a head coach at any time. With Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson available to take the job this week, the timing is notable.
After the Bears interviewed 17 coaches, they may be gathering information for future employees as well. If George isn’t ready for a head coaching job, there may be another opportunity for him. — Kevin Fishbein, Bears beat writer
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(Photo: Michael Reeves/Getty Images)
