No new teams fired head coaches ahead of the early interview window opening on Tuesday. But one team that has already sent its coach packing is wasting little time racking up intriguing head-coach candidates:
Jaguars have requested permission to interview both Cowboys coordinators, DC Dan Quinn and OC Kellen Moore for their HC job, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2021
#Jaguars have also asked to speak to Todd Bowles, sources say. https://t.co/m9IIk0wYcx
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 28, 2021
The Jacksonville Jaguars are piling up the candidates. So, let’s get used to seeing Bucs Defensive Coordinator Todd Bowles and Offensive Coordinator Byron Leftwich on head coach interview lists. Same with Cowboys OC Kellen Moore, as well as DC Dan Quinn. Heck, let’s even keep in mind names such as Doug Pederson (who was a guest at Bears camp last summer) and Jim Caldwell (the last successful coach the Lions employed). Jason La Canfora (CBS Sports) reports Caldwell and Pederson are on the Jags’ interview list as well.
Even though the Jaguars aren’t in the Bears’ division, we need to keep tabs on these names. Not only because Jacksonville might hire one, but also because Chicago’s situation is remarkably similar and could attract the same types of candidates. If you’ll recall, Leftwich was on the Bears’ rumored short-list back in November. And if you can, think back to January 2015 when Bowles interviewed for the head-coaching position that ultimately went to John Fox on the same day the Bears hired Ryan Pace as GM. What a tangled web we weave.
Like the Jaguars, the Bears are a franchise whose young QB with upside is the most attractive thing going for the team. Additionally, both the Bears and Jaguars have cap space maneuverability that could be useful in team building. Also, both franchises have patient ownership that wants to win. Tack on how it is painfully evident that both teams need culture change at the top, and there figures to be some crossover here.
In case you missed it, we explained why the Bears might not be as eager to move on from Matt Nagy before the end of the regular season:
Why the Bears Would Be Willing to Wait to Fire Matt Nagyhttps://t.co/0MXjMcGmg0 pic.twitter.com/FWBjmmOi2d
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) December 27, 2021