The Bears’ search for a new defensive coordinator comes with a mix of good and bad news.
Here’s the good news: Chicago has been linked to some intriguing names. The hottest of which might be Colts Defensive Backs/Cornerbacks Coach Jonathan Gannon.
But here’s the bad news of being connected to hot names on the market: They’re hot because other teams want them, too. And in Gannon’s case, his name might be too hot for the Bears to get a handle on in this hiring cycle:
We discussed Jonathan Gannon's stock here in @theMMQB (https://t.co/augQ2TBoVJ). He's red hot. Would be Josh McDaniels' DC in Philly. Is a leading candidate in Atlanta.
FYI: Gannon and Staley are VERY close. They'd been lined up as co-DCs on McDaniels' Cleveland staff in '20. https://t.co/uJDW3PpeuB
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 21, 2021
In today’s Bullets, we mentioned Gannon could possibly join the Chargers’ staff. Since then, we’ve seen SI.com’s Albert Breer add rumors linking him to attractive opportunities elsewhere. The Chargers could hire him as a defensive coordinator under Brandon Staley. The Falcons pop up as a possibility under new head coach Arthur Smith. And even though the Eagles didn’t hire Josh McDaniels, new Head Cocach Nick Sirianni could conceivably bring Gannon to Philly. After all, the two coached together with the Colts last season. There’s a real allure to signing on with a new coach who presumably has a longer leash than one who has just two years left on his deal.
Again, I dig that the Bears have identified and targeted someone with real upside. Unfortunately, other teams seem to be in a better place to offer a job with more long-term job security. Be honest with yourself, who’s turning that down right now?
Ultimately, seeing the Chargers and Eagles as potential landing spots for Gannon takes a bite out of the Bears’ chances landing him. And if the Bears lose out on Jay Rodgers and Gannon, that means two of the most popular candidates will be off the board. That’s a sub-optimal result for a unit looking for a new direction.
In a worst-case scenario where both Rodgers and Gannon aren’t options, the Bears can still turn to other intriguing option. Safeties Coach Sean Desai remains as a possibility. As does George Edwards, who had Gannon coaching under him when both were in Minnesota. And I’ll even go as far as to say interviewing Mike Singletary is an outside-of-the-box idea that could yield a different perspective.
Even still … this coordinator hunt is off to an inauspicious start. And that makes me feel uneasy knowing how many other things are on Chicago’s offseason to-do list.