Shortly after hiring Sean Desai to be their defensive coordinator, buzz began building around the Bears’ interest in brining Duce Staley onto Matt Nagy’s staff. Staley, currently Philadelphia’s Running Backs Coach/Assistant Head Coach with the Eagles, makes sense as a person of interest for Chicago. After all, the Bears just saw lost their own RBs Coach to the Falcons.
But here’s the caveat: Staley is still under contract in Philadelphia. Therefore, isn’t exactly available for hire. Not without a promotion of sorts. And after interviewing for the Eagles’ head-coaching position – and ultimately, being passed – Staley reportedly wants out:
I’m told Duce Staley has asked out of his deal with Eagles
He has several other opportunities to explore
It seems Eagles have filled a lot of the positions on offense pic.twitter.com/wHlV75kAhn
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) January 24, 2021
Staley has been a fixture in Philly for most of his professional football life. He played seven years with the Eagles after being drafted in 1997, then joined the coaching staff in 2010 after Andy Reid hired him as a Bell Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. But with Philadelphia firing Doug Pederson and hiring Nick Sirianni and a new staff, it’s understandable as to why Staley wants out.
Should it happen, the Bears are a sensible landing spot. But they won’t be alone in targeting the offensive assistant. NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo tweets the Lions and Bears have an interesting bringing Staley on board. For what it’s worth, Staley has a history with Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy and Offensive Line Coach Juan Castillo. Perhaps having played while Castillo was on the Eagles’ coaching staff and coaching alongside Nagy while in Philadelphia will help Chicago’s cause.
We’ll keep note of this situation as it develops. But in the meantime, note that Staley’s pending departure is an important first step in the process.