Even with uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of the general manager and head coach, the Chicago Bears’ defensive coordinator gig figures to be attractive to a variety of candidates.
And while we’ve already discussed Safeties Coach Sean Desai, Defensive Line Coach Jay Rodgers (and other internal candidates), a new option outside the walls of Halas Hall has emerged as a possibility:
The Bears put in a request to interview Colts DBs coach Jonathan Gannon for defensive coordinator, a source told The Athletic.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) January 18, 2021
The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain tweets the Bears are requesting to interview Colts Defensive Backs Coach Jonathan Gannon for the defensive coordinator position.
Gannon has spent the last three years as the Colts’ Defensive Backs/Cornerbacks Coach. In 2020, the Colts were tied for forcing the fifth-most turnovers (25) — an area the Bears used to thrive in. Overall, Indy’s defense finished eighth in yards, 10th in points, and 12th in sacks. A connection with a solid defense surely helps Gannon’s candidacy. I’d be curious to hear his philosophies and role in aiding Indianapolis’ success on that side of the ball.
Gannon has 14 years of coaching experience, much of it coming in the NFL. He has served time in the pros with the Vikings (2014-17), Titans (2012-13), and Falcons (2a007). Gannon also has experience as a scout, serving in that capacity for the Rams in 2009-10 (college) and 2011 (pro). The assortment of titles Gannon has accumulated should give him some depth and perspective other candidates might not have. At minimum, the interview process should be an enlightening one.