With the Chicago Bears in the midst of a search for a new defense coordinator to replace a retired Chuck Pagano, it sounds like they will be on the hunt for a new defense coach too.
According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, defensive coach Jay Rodgers is expected to reunite with former Bears outside linebackers coach Brandon Staley, who was hired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. Biggs has not specified the specific role, but it could be a defensive coordinator.
Rodgers has overseen a number of impressive units on the defense line and has been integral to the development of the likes of Eddie Goldman, Bilal Nichols, Roy Robertson-Harris and Nick Williams.
It was previously reported that passing game coordinator Dave Ragone could move to the Atlanta Falcons, where he is a favorite to play the offensive coordinator role under new head coach Arthur Smith.
Also, according to Biggs, Bears running backs coach Charles London could also join the Falcons.
The Bears are currently looking for a defensive coordinator to succeed Pagano, and they’ve already conducted some interviews. According to The Athletic, Chicago this week interviewed former Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants defense coordinator James Bettcher, Indianapolis Colts defense coach Jonathan Gannon and Bears legend Mike Singletary for defense coordinator.
Rodgers, along with security coach Sean Desai, was once considered a favored internal candidate to take the defensive coordinator’s position, but that doesn’t sound likely now.
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