NFC North

Even as his Detroit Lions thrive in 2024, head coach Dan Campbell is not forgetting how last season ended.

His 13-2 Lions are set to face the 6-9 San Francisco 49ers in the penultimate game of the regular season on Monday night, and while San Francisco is not playoff-bound this season, the 49ers were the team that eliminated the Lions in the 2023 NFC Championship Game.

Before the rematch, Campbell said that he will never forget that game and explained how tough losses like that "stick with you."

"Yeah, sure. Just like my second year in the league we go to the Super Bowl and get smashed by Baltimore. I won't ever forget that either. So those stick with you," Campbell said, per Eric Woodyard of ESPN. "We just didn't do enough. You learn from every experience. Unfortunately, that's the best way to learn, is from the losses. It really is."

Campbell also said he and the team are focused on game prep and going 1-0 each week.

"You don't want to go through that feeling again and that means you have to prepare a certain way, you have to play a certain way, everything that you talk about, per that opponent, for that week, and it's as simple as that," Campbell said, per Woodyard. "This is the next opponent in front of us and just keep your cool, keep your composure, stay disciplined, do the little things that it takes to win a game, and it really is that simple."

The Lions fell 34-31 to the 49ers in the NFC championship game before San Francisco lost 25-22 to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. While the Lions didn't reach their first Super Bowl, the team made the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and won a game for the first time since 1991.

With those milestones out of the way, Detroit is now focused on reaching the Super Bowl and taking home their first title. The Lions are currently battling for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and wins over the 49ers and Minnesota Vikings would secure that position.

Amid a surprisingly successful season, Kevin O'Connell is reportedly in line for a contract extension.

Per The Athletic's Dianna Russini, an extension for the third-year head coach "could happen soon." O'Connell, who the Vikings hired ahead of the 2022 season, is under contract through the end of next season and would likely field plenty of offers should Minnesota forgo extending him.

O'Connell led Minnesota to a 13-4 record with a wild-card appearance in his first year at the helm two years ago but missed the playoffs last year amid a handful of injuries, including a season-ending torn Achilles for quarterback Kirk Cousins.

After Cousins' departure in free agency over the offseason, many expected the 2024 season to be another down year for the Vikings. The plan was to have Sam Darnold compete with rookie J.J. McCarthy for the QB1 spot, though things changed after McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury before the start of the season.

With no McCarthy, Darnold took over as the starter after serving as a backup in San Francisco in 2023.

From there, O'Connell and Darnold turned heads.

Darnold has had a career season with 3,776 passing yards and 32 touchdowns, leading Minnesota to a 13-2 record. Now the Vikings, once cast as a middle-of-the-pack squad, have the chance to win 15 games for just the second time in franchise history.

They'll face the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to close out the year before the playoffs, where they'll look to keep their magical season going.

If O'Connell somehow takes Minnesota to the Super Bowl, he'll likely have a lucrative extension waiting on him this offseason.

It's been a difficult year for the Chicago Bears, but the future could be bright.

During an appearance on the This is Football podcast, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that the Bears opening is the top job that will likely be available this offseason due to the franchise's history and Caleb Williams' upside at quarterback.

"I do sense it is the best job available," Fowler said of the Chicago opening (4:00 mark in above video). "People feel that way, they like tradition. Especially the older coaches, they love tradition. Washington last year was a coveted job for that reason."

Chicago is currently 4-12 and have lost 10 consecutive games heading into the final week of the season. The team suffered a regression from a 7-10 season in 2023 and should see a significant shakeup in the organization this offseason.

This will come with some positives, however, as Chicago should have a high draft pick and should see continued development from the young talent on the roster. Williams is the key to this, as he was the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and is viewed as a potential franchise quarterback.

Williams put together respectable statistics in his debut season, throwing for 3,393 yards with 19 touchdowns and six interceptions. He hasn't been able to elevate the team to new heights but did not display too many concerning habits and should see growth with a full offseason and a new coaching regime.

With Williams and the other talent on the roster, Chicago represents a solid situation for the top coaches on the market. Some of those options could be Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Seattle Seahawks advisor and former coach Pete Carroll and former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb William says he is ready to take the blame for Thursday's 6-3 loss after taking seven sacks and throwing a game-ending interception against the Seattle Seahawks.

"We played on two sides of the ball today pretty well, special teams and defense, and then offense we didn't play well," Williams said after the game (45-minute mark of the video below.) "There was miscues. There was stupid sacks that I was taking, losing 10, 14 yards, which is frustrating.

"I will say that I'll definitely take the heat for this one, just 'cause of some situations that I put us in. Like I said, that sack that I took, that I didn't need to take, which put us—we were empty, and I brought a guy from the boundary. Just throw it over the guy's head and you're still playing."

Williams concluded: "I didn't play well enough. I didn't put the team in a good position to win, in a better position to win, and that's what it is."

Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky analyzed Williams' seven sacks after the loss, identifying two of the hits as the quarterback's responsibility and three as the result of exposure from the offensive line.

The @ChicagoBears gave up 7 sacks

2 clearly on Caleb
2 you wanna see more development with him to avoid
3 nothing he can do pic.twitter.com/qpO8Ffv0Fp

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) December 27, 2024

Williams also threw an interception with less than 15 seconds left after the Bears struggled with clock mismanagement on their final drive.

PICKED! The Riq Woolen comes down the interception for the @Seahawks to seal it. pic.twitter.com/i01rH3XeDd

— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2024

Interim head coach Thomas Brown, who did not call a timeout as time ran out on the final drive, also took responsibility for the loss after the game.

"The offense was not good enough, which it starts with me as far as the game plan that I had coming into this game, having those guys ready to go," Brown said (h/t the Seahawks' official transcript.)

The coach added: "I wasn't good enough. Put it on me."

Williams has now taken 67 sacks in his second NFL campaign, marking the fourth-highest single-season total ever recorded by a quarterback.

That also sets a single-season franchise record for the Bears, exceeding the 66 sacks made on four quarterbacks in 2004.

Brown can't be sure he'll be leading the team next season after watching his team lose a tenth straight game on Thursday.

But if there's one thing he and the Bears can focus on in Sunday's season finale against the Green Bay Packers, it's making sure Williams doesn't come anywhere close to matching Derek Carr's single-season record of 76 sacks.

The Chicago Bears struggled mightily throughout a 6-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football.

That Seahawks-Bears game was ROUGH 🥴 pic.twitter.com/GOmSEH8phh

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 27, 2024

With the Bears attempting to convert on fourth down while looking to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, Caleb Williams was pressured into a lofty throw that was intercepted by Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen.

PICKED! The Riq Woolen comes down the interception for the @Seahawks to seal it. pic.twitter.com/i01rH3XeDd

— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2024

Williams finished 16-of-28 for 122 yards, getting sacked seven times. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft has now been sacked at least seven times in four separate games throughout his rookie season.

Caleb keeping the @ChicagoBears alive!#SEAvsCHI on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/D9cGUXkjk4

— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2024

The @Seahawks with their seventh sack right before the two-minute warning#SEAvsCHI on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/syCt9TA6F3

— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2024

The loss represented the Bears' 10th consecutive defeat, tying a franchise record.

10 STRAIGHT LOSSES.

The Chicago Bears have tied the longest single-season losing streak in franchise history 🫠#DaBears | #NFL pic.twitter.com/WcaXHmGb01

— FanDuel (@FanDuel) December 27, 2024

Chicago's offense as a whole struggled to gain traction in rainy conditions, recording just 179 total yards and averaging a mere 3.1 yards per play. The Bears converted five of 15 opportunities on third down.

The Seahawks were only able to muster six points to go along with 265 total yards, but they held a three-point halftime lead and were able to maintain it throughout the duration of the contest.

Fans called out Chicago's sluggish performance.

“Sell the team” chants at Soldier Field pic.twitter.com/44NlAWSGDk

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) December 27, 2024

Caleb making a miraculous throw while the crowd chants "sell the team" right after another timeout issue.

Your 2024 Chicago Bears.

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) December 27, 2024

Dear NFL,

We didn’t need this many Chicago games in primetime this season.

Sincerely,

A Bears fan

— emilyetaylor (@emilyetaylor23) December 27, 2024

Bears fans fed up pic.twitter.com/OxAxoFpl75

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) December 27, 2024

I cannot believe the Bears employ a kicker in 2024 whom they do not trust to try a 57 yarder over 4th and 10. That’s inconceivably bad.

— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) December 27, 2024

this Bears team is the worst coached team I have ever seen. just unfathomable levels of bumbling. pic.twitter.com/JukZDWRh4P

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 27, 2024

No team does clock and game management WORSE than the Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams has no clue what he’s doing in high-pressure situations

— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) December 27, 2024

This Bears offensive operation pic.twitter.com/57jxZhcHsN

— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) December 27, 2024

The loss dropped the Bears to 4-11 on the season, now owning the second-worst record among all NFC teams.

Chicago will attempt to avoid losing a franchise-record 11th consecutive game to close out the regular season against the Green Bay Packers in Week 18.

Pete Carroll's next destination could be the Windy City.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported during the Amazon Prime broadcast of Thursday Night Football that the Bears and Carroll have mutual interest and that a conversation between the two could be happening soon.

"Pete Carroll has interest in the Bears job, but that's not the only one he is looking at," Breer said. "I'm told that he has informed all of the teams with openings that he is looking to get back into coaching in 2025. Additionally, I am told that the Bears are interested in sitting down and having a conversation with Carroll about their opening."

From TNF Tonight—breaking down the @ChicagoBears coaching search. pic.twitter.com/VQSDaP4Je6

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 27, 2024

Carroll spent 2009-2023 with the Seattle Seahawks and compiled a 137-89-1 record while leading the team to two Super Bowl appearances and one victory. The 73-year-old is currently serving as an advisor to the Seahawks.

Chicago is currently 4-11 and fired head coach Matt Eberflus following a Thanksgiving loss to the Detroit Lions. Despite the poor record, Chicago has a solid roster with the crown jewel being 2024 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams.

Chicago has not reached the postseason since 2020 and has not won a playoff game since 2010. Carroll's proven playoff experience could help the team reach new heights and maximize Williams' potential.

Breer reported that Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn, Mike Vrabel, Kliff Kingsbury, Brian Flores and interim head coach Thomas Brown are all candidates for the job as well.

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson appears to be a candidate for the Chicago Bears head coaching vacancy.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Johnson is "in play" for the Bears opening and that he "has interest" in the job.

"I think Ben Johnson has interest in the Chicago Bears job..

I'm sure they're gonna request to interview him and I'm sure that he's gonna talk to them..

He's definitely in play and we'll see what happens from there" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/HKo3CDheO5

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 26, 2024

"I think he has interest in the job," Schefter said. "There's enough there that he's going to at least have interest in talking with them and seeing whether or not it's worth pursuing. I'm sure they're gonna request to interview him and I'm sure that he's gonna talk to them and then it's up to the two side to figure out if there is a match there."

Johnson has been with the Lions since 2019 and has been the offensive coordinator since 2022. He has helped lead a potent Lions offense that has led the team to a 9-8 record in 2022, a 12-5 record in 2023 and a 13-2 start to the 2024 season.

He has helped revitalize quarterback Jared Goff's career and also utilized the team's numerous offensive weapons effectively. That could be an intriguing trait for Chicago, who has some star talent but has been unable to capitalize on it in 2024.

The Bears are 4-11 and have lost nine consecutive games heading into Week 17. This comes despite the presence of 2024 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams at quarterback and a deep receiver room consisting of D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and 2024 first-round pick Rome Odunze.

Chicago fired head coach Matt Eberflus following a Thanksgiving loss to the Lions and will likely look to make a splash with the next head coaching hire. Johnson's success with the Lions could make him a prime candidate and the talent on the Bears roster could be enough to pull him away from Detroit.

The Detroit Lions have added to their quarterback room.

Teddy Bridgewater ended his retirement to re-join the team, a move confirmed on Thursday. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network first reported the news.

Comeback: High school state championship-winning coach and NFL QB Teddy Bridgewater is coming out of retirement and is expected to sign with the #Lions, sources tell The Insiders.

Bridgewater appeared on @nflnetwork and revealed his plans to play again. Back to Detroit. pic.twitter.com/McMOR7jELD

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 26, 2024

Bridgewater last played in the 2023 season for the Lions. He spent the 2024 season as the head coach of Miami Northwestern High School, his alma mater. He led the Bulls to a Florida Class 3A state championship.

Bridgewater has compiled a 33-32 overall record in his nine-season career, with 15,120 passing yards, 75 passing touchdowns and 47 interceptions while also adding 844 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.

Coach Campbell on Teddy Bridgewater pic.twitter.com/UEDA77T35q

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 26, 2024

Last year was his only season in Detroit and he did not attempt a pass for the team. Bridgewater served as the backup behind Jared Goff on a Lions team that went 12-5 and reached the NFC Championship Game.

He now joins a Lions team in a similar spot as Detroit is 13-2 and fighting for an NFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Bridgewater will join Goff and Hendon Hooker in the quarterback room and will aim to capture his first Super Bowl victory with the talented Lions squad.

Former USC and Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has reportedly "expressed interest" in the Chicago Bears head-coaching vacancy and "would like to return to the sideline next season," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Carroll, 73, last coached Seattle in the 2023 NFL season, leading the team to a 9-8-1 mark. He was replaced last offseason by Mike Macdonald.

Per Schefter, "In recent weeks, Carroll has begun discussing a return in the NFL and now is interested in doing it. He has not yet spoken with any teams yet, per sources, but he would welcome that chance."

The Bears are of particular interest to Carroll, according to that report, because of the presence of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.

The current vacancies around the NFL include the Bears, New Orleans Saints and New York Jets, though more are likely to follow.

Carroll's long NFL career included stints with the New York Jets (1994) and New England Patriots (1997-99) as head coach before he took over at USC in 1998, leading the Trojans to a national title.

In 2010 he returned to the NFL with the Seahawks, leading the team to a 137-89-1 record in 14 seasons alongside 10 playoff berths, two trips to the Super Bowl and a title.

Caroll was known as a culture-builder during his time at USC and Seattle, and his success spoke for itself. There may be some questions around the NFL regarding his age, however, especially after the 72-year-old Bill Belichick took over as North Carolina's head football coach, ostensibly because interest wasn't super high around the NFL. Belichick only interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons ahead of the 2024 season.

Carroll embraced his one-year hiatus, telling 93.9 KJR in August that he was in the physical shape required to return to the NFL sidelines but wasn't "desiring" a return. That clearly has changed.

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has his sights set on a specific environment if he were to take a future heading coaching job.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic revealed on the latest episode of Scoop City that Johnson is focused on a team that is attempting to win immediately if he decides to leave Detroit.

"He wants to make sure he can succeed," Russini said (27:30 mark). "Which is smart. Look at these coaches that take these bad jobs. All you do is just take steps back and ruin your reputation."

The Lions currently sit at 13-2 and have clinched back-to-back seasons with a double-digit win total for the first time in franchise history, with Johnson playing a large role in the sudden prosperity.

Detroit boasts the NFL's No. 1 scoring offense at 32.9 points per game while owning the second-best passing attack and No. 6 rushing offense among all 32 teams this season.

AMON-RA ST. BROWN TD PASS TO JARED GOFF.

📺: #SEAvsDET on ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/wuVveVDDHw

— NFL (@NFL) October 1, 2024

Johnson has been recognized for his impact, as he was a head coaching candidate for the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders following the 2023 season before he eventually chose to stay with the Lions.

As for the 2025 offseason, ESPN's Dan Graziano reported that the Chicago Bears, New York Jets and New Orleans Saints are expected to target him.

While all three organizations have clinched losing records this season, one team may interest Johnson. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero revealed on Sunday that Johnson is "intrigued" by Chicago's opening.

The Bears sit at 4-11, but the opportunity to work with young offensive talent such as Caleb Williams, Cole Kmet and Rome Odunze may sway the current Lions coordinator.

For now, Johnson appears to be focused on helping Detroit maintain its status as the No. 1 team in the NFC.