NFL News: Ron Rivera Completes Interview for Bears HC Vacancy amid Jets Rumors

Former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera has completed an interview for the Chicago Bears, the team announced on X.

This comes after the New York Jets announced they had interviewed Rivera on Jan. 2

Rivera was head coach for the Panthers from 2011-19 and for the Commanders from 2020-23, accumulating a 102-103-2 overall record with the two franchises. He also led the Panthers to Super Bowl 50.

The Bears are also looking to interview Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman for the head coaching vacancy as the Fighting Irish head into the College Football National Championship game, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.

Freeman was selected by the Bears in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He has accumulated a 33-9 record as a head coach.

In addition, the Bears have scheduled interviews with Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Baltimore offensive coordinator Todd Monken and Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

Rivera has a deep connection with the Bears. He was part of the 1985 Chicago team that won Super Bowl XX and later began his coaching career with the Bears, serving as a defensive quality control coach from 1997 to 1998. Rivera returned to the Bears in 2006 to serve as the defensive coordinator during Chicago's Super Bowl run that year.

The 63-year-old sat out this past season after being fired by the Commanders the day after their 2023 season ended. In his final season, the Commanders finished with an eight-game losing streak and a 4-13 record.