Insider updates if Bears are interested in Pete Carroll amid desire for NFL return

On Christmas, it was reported that former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll had expressed interest in the Chicago Bears' opening, as he desired to return to the NFL next year. 

Ahead of the "Thursday Night Football" game between the Seahawks and Bears, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated offered an update regarding Carroll's plans and Chicago's thoughts on the one-time Super Bowl champion coach. 

"Pete Carroll has interest in the Bears job, but that's not the only one he is looking at," Breer explained, Bleacher Report's Jack Murray shared. "I'm told that he has informed all of the teams with openings that he is looking to get back into coaching in 2025. Additionally, I am told that the Bears are interested in sitting down and having a conversation with Carroll about their opening."

Like the Bears, the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints fired their head coaches during the season. The Jets could be on the verge of completing a franchise reset involving parting ways with quarterback Aaron Rodgers this winter. At the same time, the Saints reportedly could release veteran signal-caller Derek Carr before the new league year opens in March. Meanwhile, the 4-12 Bears have a promising young quarterback in rookie and No. 1 overall draft choice Caleb Williams on their roster. 

Carroll, who served from 2010 through 2023, guided the Seahawks to two Super Bowl appearances and one title. However, he turns 74 next September, and logic suggests he won't be a long-term option for any club. 

Franchise instability was often mentioned as a big reason Justin Fields failed to cement himself as a savior for the Bears during his first three seasons in the league. Carroll's resume speaks for itself, but it's possible — maybe even likely — that the Bears would prefer to hire a younger quarterback guru, such as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, to work with Williams. 

Johnson has been heavily linked with the Bears but could go elsewhere or stick with Detroit for another season if he walks away from his interview unimpressed with Chicago's vision for the immediate future. Carroll would make for an interesting second-choice option for the Bears, but it sounds like he could take the first job offered to him come January.