Bears Complete Interviews With Jim Caldwell, Nathaniel Hackett & Monti Ossenfort

The Chicago Bears announced Saturday that they’ve completed interviews with head coach candidates Jim Caldwell and Nathaniel Hackett along with Titans executive Monti Ossenfort, who is a candidate for their GM vacancy. 

Here’s the full list of candidates for both of the Bears’ openings:

Head Coach Interviews:

• Bills DC Leslie Frazier (Requested)
• Former Eagles HC Doug Pederson (Interviewed)
• Bills OC Brian Daboll (Requested)
• Buccaneers OC Byron Leftwich (Requested)
• Buccaneers DC Todd Bowles (Requested)
• Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett (Interviewed)
• Colts DC Matt Eberflus (Requested)
• Cowboys DC Dan Quinn (Requested)
• Former Dolphins HC Brian Flores (Interviewed)
• Former Lions HC Jim Caldwell (Interviewed)

GM Interviews:

• Colts director of college scouting Morocco Brown (Requested)
• Browns VP of Player Personnel Glenn Cook (Interviewed)
• Browns VP of football operations Kwesi Adofo-Mensah (Interviewed)
• Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds (Requested)
• Saints’ assistant GM Jeff Ireland (Interviewed)
• 49ers director of player personnel Ran Carthon (Requested)
• Former Texans GM Rick Smith
• Bills assistant GM Joe Schoen (Requested)
• Steelers VP Omar Khan (Requested)
• Patriots executive consultant Eliot Wolf (Requested)
• Bears assistant director of player personnel Champ Kelly (Interviewed)
• Chargers Director of Player Personnel JoJo Wooden (Requested)
• Titans director of player personnel Monti Ossenfort (Interviewed)

Caldwell, 66, began his head coaching career with the Colts back in 2009 after taking over for Tony Dungy. He spent three years in charge of Indianapolis before he was fired after the 2011 season.

After a stint with the Ravens as their offensive coordinator, the Lions hired him as their head coach in 2015. Detroit made the decision to move on from Caldwell in 2018 and he agreed to join the Dolphins’ coaching staff in 2019. However, he took a leave of absence in July to deal with health issues. 

During his seven years as a head coach for the Colts and Lions, Caldwell led them to a record of 62-50 (55.4 percent) which includes four playoff appearances and one trip to the AFC Championship game.

Hackett, 41, began his NFL coaching career with the Buccaneers back in 2006 as an offensive quality control coach. After two years in Tampa Bay, the Bills hired him for the same position.

Hackett later became the QB/TEs coach at Syracuse and worked his way up to offensive coordinator a year later. After Doug Marrone was hired as the Bills’ head coach, Hackett returned to Buffalo as the team’s offensive coordinator.

Hackett followed Marrone to the Jaguars and served as their offensive coordinator for three seasons before being fired. He joined the Packers in 2019.

In 2021, the Packers’ offense ranks No. 10 in total yards, No. 10 in points scored, No. 18 in rushing yards, and No. 8 in passing yards.