In their effort to find their next head coach, the Chicago Bears have made another unusual interview request: they want to talk to Adam Stenavich, the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, about their open position.
The Bears became the first team to request an interview with the former NFL offensive lineman on January 13 when they submitted a request to interview Stenavich for their head coaching position, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The Packers still haven’t replied.
When Matt LaFleur accepted the job as head coach of the Packers in 2019, Stenavich was among the first coaches he hired. He joined the team as an offensive line coach who was familiar with the zone-blocking technique that Kyle Shanahan used, which LaFleur intended to imitate. In 2021, he was promoted to run-game coordinator under Nathaniel Hackett. When Hackett became head coach of Denver in 2022, he assumed the role of offensive coordinator.
Stevanich managed an offence that averaged the fifth-most rushing yards (146.8), 12th-most passing yards (223.9), and eighth-most points scored (27.1) per game during the 2024 regular season, despite the Packers’ offensive struggles in their 2024 wild-card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Additionally, his line allowed the second-fewest sacks (22).
Before scheduling Stevanich, the Bears must wait for the Packers to respond to their request for an interview. However, because Green Bay was eliminated from the playoffs, Chicago will have the chance to meet with Stevanich in person if they are granted permission.
Bears Benefit from Adam Stenavich’s OL Experience
Even though some supporters will object to the thought of Chicago hiring another Packers coach following a dismal two-year stint with Luke Getsy as offensive coordinator from 2022 to 2023, Stenavich may be one of the more intriguing names on the Bears’ candidacy list. The most compelling argument? Making offensive linemen into starters is something Stevanich is skilled at.
Elgton Jenkins is among Stenavich’s biggest success stories at this stage of his career. Under Stenavich’s tutelage, Jenkins, a 2019 second-round pick, has developed into one of the Packers’ most dependable and adaptable offensive lineman and a two-time Pro Bowler. Although Jenkins should take most of the credit for his accomplishments, Stenavich has been instrumental in helping him grow into one of the league’s top guards.
Additionally, Stenavich has contributed to the Packers’ annoying trend of selecting offensive linemen on the third day of the draft and turning them into capable starters, which is aggravating to Bears supporters. He transformed Zach Tom, a fourth-round choice, into a versatile starter who could play a variety of positions. In 2024, he also turned Rasheed Walker, a seventh-round pick, into a good replacement for David Bakhtiari at left tackle, where he gave up three sacks.
Although the Packers’ scouting department deserves some of the credit for helping identify the offensive line prospects in the first place, Stevanich’s fingerprints are undeniably present in each of their individual growth. That is undoubtedly a noteworthy accomplishment.
Is the interview with Adam Stevanich an attempt to gather facts?
Although Stenavich is a good NFL offensive coordinator who has at least garnered some interest in a head coaching job, the Bears may have a secret reason for asking him to interview, and it may have nothing to do with another applicant.
Pelissero claims that after Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys were unable to agree on a new deal for the 2025 season, the Bears set up an interview with the veteran NFL player for Wednesday, January 15. During contract discussions, the Bears had already attempted to speak with McCarthy, but the Cowboys turned them down.
But now that McCarthy is a free agent, the Bears can talk to him face-to-face about their head coaching opening. They might also believe that speaking with Stenavich, who was a member of the Packers’ practice squad for two years under McCarthy, could provide insight into McCarthy’s capacity to mentor and develop a young quarterback.
The Packers were in the process of replacing Brett Favre with Aaron Rodgers during Stenavich’s two seasons there in 2006 and 2007, and Rodgers, a 2005 first-round choice, was still a young player growing in the background. The Bears might still want to question Stenavich about how McCarthy handled such a scenario, even if he might not have much knowledge of the relationship.
Jordan J. Wilson is a sports reporter for Heavy.com who focusses on the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers while covering the NFL and MLB. For a number of publications, including The Indianapolis Star, The News-Gazette, Springfield State-Journal Register, and Peoria Journal Star, he has previously covered sports at all levels, including high school, college, and professional.Additional information regarding Jordan J. Wilson
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