In addition to needing a new defensive coordinator and someone to replace Jay Rodgers coaching the defensive line, the Chicago Bears will soon be on the lookout for a runnings back coach.
Charles London is reportedly skipping town:
The #Falcons are expected to hire Charles London as their quarterbacks coach, source said. A notable title for London, who has coached running backs the past nine years with Penn State, the #Texans and the #Bears.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 21, 2021
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero tweets the Atlanta Falcons are hiring London to be their Quarterbacks Coach. That’s a notable title change for London, who has been a RBs Coach for the better part of the last decade. London has coached running backs for the Bears (2018-20), Texans (2014-17), and Penn State University (2012-13) over the last nine years. Considering the oversized importance of quarterbacks in modern professional football, I can understand why London would seek a position where he can get his hands on one. And if he desires to be a head coach down the line, it makes sense that coaching quarterbacks would be a place to jump-start that journey.
London joins new Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith. The two crossed paths while coaching with the Titans in 2011, when London was an Offensive Assistant/Quality Control Coach. Unsurprisingly, Smith is pulling on old ties in building a coaching staff. It wouldn’t shock me if Bears Pass Game Coordinator Dave Ragone joins the party in the not-too-distant future. Ragone has already been connected to the Falcons’ available offensive coordinator position.
I’ll be curious to see how the Bears approach unearthing London’s replacement. Working with 1,000-yard rusher David Montgomery could be appealing. But unlike the Bears’ vacant defensive coordinator gig, coaching Chicago’s offense isn’t all that appealing right now. And there isn’t an obvious internal candidate who can slide right into the role. Although, I suppose Offensive Quality Control Coach Mike Snyder is a sensible option worth interviewing. Snyder coached running backs in individual drills as an offensive analyst at Coastal Carolina. Then again, I’d hope a search for this position goes beyond the walls at Halas Hall.