Now that we’re two weeks into the Chicago Bears coaching search, and now that they’ve got a General Manager in place, the list has narrowed and so have my preferences.

As far as we know, there’s 3 finalists. I tend to believe there may be more that we haven’t heard about, at least I hope so.

Here’s my thoughts:

DAN QUINN- One of the three known finalists. Of the three, he’s my preference of the three. Two weeks ago, I wanted no part of Quinn, but I’ve warmed to him.

He got Atlanta to a Super Bowl in his second season, and should have won it if not for that epic meltdown. His run with the Falcons was never the same after that. There has to be hope that he learned from the mistakes made.

He did a phenomenal job with Dallas’ defense this year and it’s said he already has a killer staff lined up. Other than one other candidate, I am leaning toward a defensive minded head coach. One that won’t insist on calling offensive plays. One that will be more likely to focus on the big picture.

Right now, that guy is Quinn.

MATT EBERFLUS- Another of the known finalists. I know little of Eberflus, except he’s had really good defenses in Indianapolis.

I wouldn’t be completely opposed to hiring Eberflus, but it would all hinge on who he brings in to run the offense.

Based solely on the individual, I prefer Quinn to Eberflus because of experience as a head coach.

JIM CALDWELL- The third of the 3 known finalists, and the only one with an offensive background.

I like Caldwell, and I think he got railroaded by Detroit. I believe he would be a steady hand, and wouldn’t stubbornly stick to his offensive plans when they don’t work out. His ego won’t get in the way of progress.

However, I’m not wild about his age and the fact he’s been out of football for a few years. I don’t like the idea of Bill Polian pushing him on the Bears because of past relationships.

I don’t hate Caldwell, but I wouldn’t be terribly excited by his hiring. Feels like John Fox 2.0 to me.

BRIAN DABOLL- While he’s not one of the known finalists, Daboll is at the top of my wish list.

I stated earlier that I prefer a defensive minded head coach because they’re less likely to micromanage the offense, Daboll is the exception to that preference.

Watching Buffalo’s offense and the growth of Josh Allen makes me dreamy about what he could do for Justin Fields.

To be honest, Justin Fields is not Josh Allen. There is only one Josh Allen, but I remember Allen’s first two years. He was a good runner, with a live arm, that showed flashes but nobody, and I mean nobody saw his ascendance to superstardom in his third year. Fields has the same traits, he may never reach Allen’s heights, but Daboll may give him the best chance.

BRIAN FLORES- When Miami unexpectedly fired Flores, he immediately became my favorite. I’ve cooled on him significantly, but I still wouldn’t be adverse to his hiring.

I think Flores is a good head coach, he turned Miami into a playoff contender and they were miles further away than Chicago is now.

There are two strikes against him, in my opinion. One is the inconsistencies of his offensive staff, in three years Miami’s offense always seemed to be in flux. The second, and most damning, is his reported handling of Tua Tagovailoa.

His lack of confidence in Tua may have been justified, but it’s concerning that he would belittle and undermine the young franchise QB because he wasn’t his choice. It gives me pause to wonder how he would handle Justin Fields and his development.

BYRON LEFTWICH- Not one of the reported finalists, and I’ve been lukewarm on his candidacy. It’s fair to wonder how much of his success as an OC is due to having Tom Brady and stellar core of weapons at his disposal. How well can he build an offense from scratch?

Leftwich impressed me in a losing effort against the Rams. Down 27-3, he never panicked, he kept a steady hand the wheel and Tampa nearly pulled off the miracle come back.

Leftwich is reportedly at the top of Jacksonville’s list.

TODD BOWLES- Number one on my list two weeks ago, I’ve cooled significantly on Bowles.

Bowles did the opposite of Leftwich against the Rams, meaning he did not impress me. To be fair, the Bucs defense had a big hand in the comeback, but it’s that Cooper Kupp play that sticks out.

I understand that there was a miscommunication on the defensive call, but that’s simply inexcusable in that situation. Under no circumstances should they have been single covering Kupp in that situation.

Bowles is rumored to be high on the Vikings list.

Here’s my current predictions for the 9 open head coaching jobs:

BEARS: Dan Quinn

BRONCOS: Nathaniel Hackett

DOLPHINS: Brian Daboll

GIANTS: Brian Flores

JAGUARS: Byron Leftwich

RAIDERS: Rich Bisaccia

SAINTS: Dennis Allen

TEXANS: Absolutely clueless on this one, if they’re smart… Demeco Ryans

VIKINGS: Todd Bowles