As two prominent dominoes fall, it looks like Jim Caldwell will not get another shot to be a head coach this year.
Some would say it’s overdue for former Lions head coach Jim Caldwell to get another chance. He surfaced prominently in this hiring cycle, as the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars narrowed their lists of candidates.
Caldwell had a second interview with the Bears this week. According to one report, he came off very well and had a detailed plan for getting the most out of Justin Fields.
Jim Caldwell’s interview w/the #Bears went “very well,” says a source close to the situation. I’m told the former #Lions/#Colts HC loves Justin Fields and impressed Chicago by laying out an entirely new offense that would highlight Fields’ extensive skill set.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 26, 2022
But on Thursday morning, the Bears went another direction. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bears will make Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus their next head coach.
Caldwell has also been a prominent candidate for the Jaguars, as they apparently narrow in on hiring Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich. Eberflus was also a candidate in Jacksonville.
Jim Caldwell may have to wait until next year for third chance as a head coach
Caldwell had a winning record in three of his four seasons as Lions’ head coach, which practically makes him worthy of a bust in Canton in light of the franchise’s history over most of the last 60-plus years. He also led the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl in his first year as the head coach there, which is worth noting even for those who want to set him aside to credit Peyton Manning’s presence and acknowledge how well Tony Dungy left things.
A new possibilty for Caldwell, which hits close to home in terms of the Lions’ current coaching staff, is the New Orleans Saints after head coach Sean Payton stepped aside this week. It’s unclear if the Saints have interest, but it’s definitely possible Caldwell gets an interview.
In lieu of getting a head coaching job this year, Caldwell could land somewhere as an offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach. Then he’ll probably surface as a head coaching candidate again in 2023.