Bears interview offensive coordinators Todd Monken, Joe Brady on Friday

Two days before the most-anticipated game of their NFL careers, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady conducted virtual head coaching interviews with the Bears on Friday.

Monken has been the Ravens’ play-caller the past two years. They rank second in the NFL with 464 yards per game this season and third with 289 points per game. Their 299 rushing yards per game leads the league, and quarterback Lamar Jackson is one of the favorites to win the MVP.

Monken, whose Ravens are set to face the Bills in the divisional round of the playoffs Sunday, went to Wheaton North High School before attending Knox College in Galesburg, where he played quarterback and graduated in 1989. He got his Masters degree at Grand Valley State two years ago.

His dad Bob was the head coach at Lake Park High School. His four brothers coached in high school, and those brothers’ kids coached high school football. Monken’s cousin Jeff is the coach at Army. Jeff’s dad coached at Joliet East and Joliet Central. There are five Monkens in the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Before joining the Ravens, Monken won two national championships as the Georgia offensive coordinator from 2020-22. He’s been the wide head coach at Southern Miss, the offensive coordinator for the Buccaneers and Browns and the receivers coach for the Jaguars.

Brady, 35, interviewed with the Bears for an assistant coaching job three years ago. He coached LSU star Joe Burrow in college and has NFL MVP candidate Josh Allen starring in Buffalo. His agent, former Bears defensive end Trace Armstrong, also represents GM Ryan Poles.

Thursday, Monken told Ravens reporters that the timing of the NFL’s interviews was “unfortunate” and that he was “excited to play the Bills.” Monken became eligible to interview with teams this week.