Report: Pete Carroll 'Has Expressed Interest' in Bears HC Job, Eyeing NFL Return

Former USC and Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has reportedly "expressed interest" in the Chicago Bears head-coaching vacancy and "would like to return to the sideline next season," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Carroll, 73, last coached Seattle in the 2023 NFL season, leading the team to a 9-8-1 mark. He was replaced last offseason by Mike Macdonald.

Per Schefter, "In recent weeks, Carroll has begun discussing a return in the NFL and now is interested in doing it. He has not yet spoken with any teams yet, per sources, but he would welcome that chance."

The Bears are of particular interest to Carroll, according to that report, because of the presence of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.

The current vacancies around the NFL include the Bears, New Orleans Saints and New York Jets, though more are likely to follow.

Carroll's long NFL career included stints with the New York Jets (1994) and New England Patriots (1997-99) as head coach before he took over at USC in 1998, leading the Trojans to a national title.

In 2010 he returned to the NFL with the Seahawks, leading the team to a 137-89-1 record in 14 seasons alongside 10 playoff berths, two trips to the Super Bowl and a title.

Caroll was known as a culture-builder during his time at USC and Seattle, and his success spoke for itself. There may be some questions around the NFL regarding his age, however, especially after the 72-year-old Bill Belichick took over as North Carolina's head football coach, ostensibly because interest wasn't super high around the NFL. Belichick only interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons ahead of the 2024 season.

Carroll embraced his one-year hiatus, telling 93.9 KJR in August that he was in the physical shape required to return to the NFL sidelines but wasn't "desiring" a return. That clearly has changed.