Bears Reportedly Asking to Interview Vikings Defensive Coordinator
By James Neveau ••
The Chicago Bears are aggressively looking for a new coach, and the team continues to add names to its list of candidates to interview.
According to reports, the Bears have requested an interview with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards. Edwards, who has been with the Vikings since the 2014 season, has also made stops with the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and Washington during his coaching career, and helped mold the Vikings into one of the top defenses in the NFL.
Edwards joins a list of coaches that the Bears have reportedly reached out to in the days following the firing of John Fox. Most of those coaches are offensive-minded, including offensive coordinators like Josh McDaniels (Patriots), Pat Shurmur (Vikings) and Matt Nagy (Chiefs).
Getty Images
POLICÍA DE RIO GRANDE CITY
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.
POLICÍA DE RIO GRANDE CITY
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?
Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo
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.
POLICÍA DE RIO GRANDE CITY
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.
TripAdvisor
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.
POLICÍA DE RIO GRANDE CITY
While DeFilippo will get plenty of attention for his work with Wentz, Reich’s impact on the Eagles’ offense won’t go unnoticed.
Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo
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.
POLICÍA DE RIO GRANDE CITY
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.
The Bears have also reportedly put in interview requests for Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.
DeFilippo, McDaniels, Shurmur, and Edwards can all interview with the Bears this week, as their teams have first round byes in the NFL playoffs, while Nagy and Wilks would have to wait until after their respective postseasons end.
