Bears request to interview Brian Flores, Arthur Smith for head coach

The Chicago Bears are in the middle of their head coach search, where they're casting a wide range of candidates for the vacancy. The latest interview requests come for a pair of experienced candidates who have served in head coach roles before -- and they're thriving in their current roles.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bears have requested to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

Flores previously served as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2019-21, where he had a 24–25 record with no playoff appearances. Flores got his start with the New England Patriots, where he worked his way up from special teams assistant (2008-09) to assistant offense and special teams coach (2010) to defensive assistant (2011) to safeties coach (2012-15) to linebackers coach (2016-18) before his head coaching stint in Miami. After his firing, he spent the 2022 season as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Flores has served as the Vikings defensive coordinator since 2023, where his unit is among the best in the NFL.

Smith served as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2021-23, which included a 21-30 record with three consecutive 7-10 seasons, before he was fired. Smith got his start with the Tennessee Titans as an offensive line coach (2013), an assistant tight ends coach (2014-15) and tight ends coach (2016-18) before being promoted to offensive coordinator (2019-20) and then got his head coach opportunity. Following his firing from Atlanta, Smith joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as their offensive coordinator this year.

Flores and Smith both fit that "leader of men" type after their respective head coaching stints, with Flores coming from a defensive background and Smith an offensive background.

The Bears have now requested interviews with seven assistant coaches: Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, Arizona Cardinals Drew Petzing, New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Flores and Smith. General manager Ryan Poles also confirmed Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown will get a formal interview for the permanent role.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears request to interview Brian Flores, Arthur Smith for head coach