Report: Bears expected to interview Iowa State's Campbell

The Chicago Bears are expected to interview Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell in their search for a new bench boss, a source told the Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs.

Campbell boasts a 64-51 record over nine seasons with Iowa State and led the program to its first-ever 10-win season in 2024.

The Cyclones went 11-3 this season and made an appearance in the Big 12 title game where they fell to Arizona State. Iowa State finished its campaign with a shootout victory over Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

The Bears have requested to interview several candidates for their head coaching job, including Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, and former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles said earlier this week that the team's search will include "some names that you don't expect."

"We're digging deeper than we ever have before," he added.

Campbell has been rumored as an NFL head coaching candidate in the past. The Lions reportedly offered him an eight-year deal in 2021 before ultimately hiring Dan Campbell.

The 45-year-old has been named Big 12 Coach of the Year three times during his time with the Cyclones (2017, 2018, 2020). He was previously the head coach at Toledo where he went 35-15 and won a MAC Coach of the Year award.