Bears Request Interviews With Vikings DC Brian Flores, Steelers OC Arthur Smith

According to Adam Schefter, the Bears have requested permission to interview Vikings DC Brian Flores and Steelers OC Arthur Smith for their head coaching vacancy. 

Here’s where things stand with the Bears’ coaching search: 

• Lions OC Ben Johnson (Requested)
• Lions DC Aaron Glenn (Requested)
• Broncos DC Vance Joseph
• Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver (Requested)
• Cardinals OC Drew Petzing (Requested)
• Giants OC Mike Kafka (Requested)
• Vikings DC Brian Flores (Requested)
• Steelers OC Arthur Smith (Requested)

Flores, 43, began his NFL coaching career with the Patriots back in 2004 as a scouting assistant. He held a number of positions including pro scout, special teams assistant, assistant offense/special teams, defensive assistant, safeties coach and linebackers coach before serving as the de facto defensive coordinator in 2018. 

Miami hired Flores away to be their head coach in 2019 before firing him abruptly after the 2021 season. He caught on with the Steelers as a defensive assistant and LB coach, then was hired by the Vikings as defensive coordinator in 2023. 

In three years in Miami, Flores posted a record of 24-25 (49 percent) with no playoff appearances.

Smith, 42, began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at North Carolina back in 2006. From there, he worked for Washington for two years before being hired as an administrative assistant/defensive intern at Ole Miss in 2010.

The Titans hired Smith as a defensive assistant/quality control coach a year later and he worked his way to TEs coach in 2015. Tennessee promoted him to offensive coordinator after Matt LaFleur accepted the Packers’ HC job.

After Smith found success in that role, the Falcons hired him as their head coach in 2021. However, he was let go after three seasons. 

In three seasons in Atlanta, Smith had a record of 21-30 (.412 winning percentage) with no playoff appearances.