While the Chicago Bears are busy looking for a new head coach, their potential draft board is starting to come to focus as intriguing players begin to declare for the NFL Draft.
The Bears, who own the eighth pick in the first round, are certainly in need of a quality pass rusher, and LSU defensive end Arden Key declared for the NFL Draft on Thursday morning. Key, who stands 6-foot-6, is explosive off the line, and has been tagged as a potential top 10-to-15 pick by most draft experts.
Key did miss some time with injuries this season, but still registered four sacks, including a pair of them against Ole Miss, and he had 33 total tackles in eight games with the Tigers in his final season in Baton Rouge.
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There are plenty of questions about how much of the credit Carmichael should get for the Saints’ offense, since head coach Sean Payton exerts so much control over play-calling. Carmichael has earned a good reputation for his work with Drew Brees, but some have been skeptical about his head coaching abilities since he wasn’t given the interim job when Payton was suspended in the Bounty-gate investigation.
With teams searching for the next Sean McVay, DeFilippo’s name is going to come up a lot. His work with Carson Wentz in Philadelphia made quite an impression, as Wentz was an MVP candidate before tearing his ACL. He could be just the guy to work with Mitchell Trubisky, and the Bears have reportedly requested an interview with him.
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The Bears reportedly want to go with an offensive-minded coach, but Fangio’s work with the team’s defense has turned them from doormat to one of the top 10 defenses in the league. His contract expired at the end of the season, so his future is completely in his own hands.
The former Bears player has had plenty of NFL head coaching experience and has expressed interest in coaching the Bears, but will Ryan Pace give him an interview?
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After Jeff Fisher was fired by the Rams, LaFleur and Sean McVay teamed up to turn Jared Goff into one of the most exciting passers in the NFL. The Rams were the 10th-best passing offense in the NFL, throwing for 239.4 yards per game, and LaFleur showed an ability to mix the pass and run effectively, meaning that he could likely do good work with Trubisky and Jordan Howard.
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McDaniels didn’t have much success in his first go-around as an NFL head coach, but with the way he’s worked with the Patriots, he’s going to get another shot and will be a highly sought after candidate by numerous teams, including the Colts and possibly the Cardinals.
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The Chiefs’ offense had a strong year, with Kareem Hunt rushing for over 1300 yards and Alex Smith throwing for over 4000. Nagy will be one of two Chiefs coordinators that will generate some interest league-wide, so the Bears would have to move quickly if they want to talk to him.
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While DeFilippo will get plenty of attention for his work with Wentz, Reich’s impact on the Eagles’ offense won’t go unnoticed.
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Toub made a name for himself when he worked with the Bears, and his ability to motivate players has made him a desirable coaching candidate on several occasions.
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Several teams, including the Bears, have already asked for permission to interview Wilks. He served under Lovie Smith as a defensive backs coach from 2006 to 2008, and has been the Panthers’ defensive coordinator this season. The team allowed 317.1 yards per game, seventh-best in the NFL.
Also declaring for the draft was Oklahoma offensive tackle Orlando Brown, who could help shore up a Bears’ offensive line that has dealt with a ton of injuries in recent years. The team did just ink Charles Leno Jr. to a contract extension, but they could try Brown out at either tackle spot, as his massive frame (6-foot-8 and 345 pounds) has scouts drooling.
The Bears will have plenty of options on the table, including the ability to trade down if a quarterback like Baker Mayfield or Lamar Jackson stays on the board. Recouping draft picks after trading up in consecutive first rounds could be a smart move for Ryan Pace, but it remains to be seen if the Bears will be able to land a potential generational talent with their selection.
