The Chicago Bears will conduct a formal interview with former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel on Wednesday as part of their coaching search, according to the Boston Herald's Doug Kyed.

Adam Schefter of ESPN noted the New Orleans Saints, New York Jets and New England Patriots have shown interest in Vrabel as well. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport offered some more context:

Vrabel played eight seasons for the Patriots and won three Super Bowls with the franchise. He might be angling for a return to Gillette Stadium.

NBC Sports Boston's Phil Perry reported that "several people" around the NFL viewed Vrabel's interview with the Jets last week as a "calculated" move with the Patriots in mind. He was trying to make clear he has options this offseason and that New England couldn't delay if it had any desire to hire him.

Vrabel's interview came when Jerod Mayo was still the Patriots head coach, so Mayo's firing on Monday after just one season at the helm only furthered the notion he'll eventually wind up in New England.

That leaves a team such as the Bears in a tough position. You're set to interview a candidate who may not be all that interested in the job, but you don't want to concede defeat before you try if you think Vrabel is the best man for the job.

General manager Ryan Poles could lay out a very compelling pitch about how the organization's future is bright with young quarterback Caleb Williams. Maybe the Patriots totally bungle their interview and Vrabel becomes far more open to other destinations.

Poles will make the effort at least to land a coach he clearly has a high opinion of.