CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The winningest coach in Carolina Panthers history is once again drawing attention for an NFL head coaching job.
The Chicago Bears announced on Sunday that they interviewed Ron Rivera for their head coaching vacancy. Rivera is one of at least 17 people the Bears have targeted for the position.
Rivera went 76-63-1 in nine seasons with the Panthers (2011-2019). Carolina won the 2015 NFC Championship game with him leading the team. The Panthers made the postseason four times during his tenure.
Rivera made one postseason appearance in 2020 but was fired after the 2023 season. He compiled a 26-40-1 record with Washington.
The Bears are familiar with Rivera. He played all nine seasons of his NFL career with Chicago, winning a Super Bowl after the 1985 season. Rivera became a defensive quality control coach with the team in 1997 and was later a defensive coordinator.
If Rivera gets the job with Chicago, he will be the seventh former player to coach the team. Mike Ditka was the last person to play for the Bears and later coach them.
The New York Jets also interviewed Rivera for a head coaching job this month. Rivera has not been linked with interviews for the other three teams with head coach openings — the Jaguars, Raiders, and Saints.
Rivera’s 76 wins are the most in Carolina Panthers history. He surpassed John Fox’s 73-win mark in 2019. Dom Capers, who is now a defensive assistant with the Panthers, is a distant third on the list with 30 wins during his head coaching run. Dave Canales, Carolina’s current coach, is seventh in franchise history with five wins.
