The Chicago Bears interviewed Doug Pederson for their coaching vacancy. Here’s what to know about the former Philadelphia Eagles coach.
The Chicago Bears have reached out to at least 12 general manager and nine coaching candidates for interviews. As they go through the process, we’re looking at each of the prospective hires.
Doug Pederson interviewed for the coach position Wednesday.
<mark class="hl_orange">Doug Pederson</mark>
Age: 53
Title: Former Philadelphia Eagles head coach
Experience
Pederson was the Eagles coach for five seasons, going 42-37-1 with three playoff berths and a Super Bowl title. Before that, he was the Kanas City Chiefs offensive coordinator for three seasons and the Eagles quarterbacks coach. A former quarterback, Pederson started 17 games during a decade in the NFL with four teams, including the Green Bay Packers.
You should know
The Eagles fired Pederson a year ago after a 4-11-1 season, one of two losing seasons during his time in Philly. The Eagles offense struggled in 2020 as quarterback Carson Wentz’s play regressed. Pederson benched Wentz for rookie Jalen Hurts in Week 13. Pederson’s departure from Philadelphia came after friction with owner Jeffrey Lurie, according to a detailed report from The Athletic.
Bears connection
Pederson climbed the ranks as an assistant under coach Andy Reid, just like former Bears coach Matt Nagy. He visited Bears training camp over the summer and caught up with Nagy and third-string quarterback Nick Foles. Pederson and Foles have their own statue in Philadelphia commemorating the “Philly Special,” the trick-play touchdown pass from Trey Burton to Foles in Super Bowl LII.
What has been said
Pederson did an extensive interview with the New York Daily News last month as he prepared to weigh his next steps and said this about quarterback development: “I definitely take a lot of pride in the development of the quarterback. I had a tremendous offensive coordinator in Frank Reich who was a former NFL star in this league at that position, and I think that’s important to have guys who played the QB position who know the mindset, can teach the QB. Then you’ve got to understand the person you’re coaching. Your system has to fit his strengths. As coaches we need to adjust to that.”