Ex-Vikings DC Edwards in hunt for Bears job
A week after defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano retired, the Bears’ short list of candidates to replace him is taking shape.
The team has in-house options in safeties coach Sean Desai (on staff since 2013) and defensive line coach Jay Rodgers (since 2015) and has begun interviewing outsiders as well.
The most notable name is former Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards, who interviewed for the head-coaching job in 2018 and lost out to Matt Nagy. Edwards was the coordinator in Minnesota from 2014 through 2019 and spent last year as a Cowboys senior assistant. He also was defensive coordinator for the Bills (2010-11) and Washington (2003).
The Bears also interviewed former Giants and Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher on Monday, NFL Network reported. Bettcher was out of the league last season after the Giants cleaned house, but Nagy has a history of picking up castoffs. Former offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich was hired as a free agent, as were current offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, offensive line coach Juan Castillo and tight ends coach Clancy Barone.
The Bears requested permission to interview Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon as well, The Athletic reported. Gannon became a position coach for the first time in 2018.
This is a crucial hire for Nagy, who will be on his third defensive coordinator in four seasons. The defense has fallen from great to good the last two seasons since Vic Fangio left for the Broncos’ head-coaching job.
Jason Lieser
Mahomes progressing, but no green light
It remains too early to determine whether Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes can play in the AFC Championship Game against the Bills on Sunday, ESPN and other news outlets reported. Mahomes remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol after clearing “some big steps,” according to an ESPN source, and was expected to practice Wednesday in a limited capacity.
† Buccaneers receiver Antonio Brown underwent an MRI exam that revealed no structural damage to his knee, ESPN reported. He’s day to day as the Bucs prepare to face the Packers in the NFC title game.
Fontenot makes history in Atlanta
The Falcons named Terry Fontenot, 40, the team’s first Black general manager. He joins the team after 18 seasons with the NFC South rival Saints, with whom he was vice president and assistant general manager in charge of pro personnel.
More history: Female Super Bowl official
Sarah Thomas will cap her sixth NFL season by becoming the first female to officiate the Super Bowl. Thomas, a down judge, is part of the seven-person crew that referee Carl Cheffers will lead Feb. 7 in Tampa, Florida.