Category: 2021 season

Bears to get closer look at Alabama QB Mac Jones at 2021 Senior Bowl

Alabama QB Mac Jones will participate in the 2021 Senior Bowl, which is a really good thing for the Chicago Bears.

The 2021 Senior Bowl added Alabama QB Mac Jones to its roster Tuesday morning in a development that should pique the interest of Bears fans.

Chicago is embarking on a critically important quarterback-driven offseason, so the more opportunities the Bears have to get an up-close look at this year’s top draft prospects, the better.

Even with the Panthers and Dolphins coaching this year’s Senior Bowl, the Bears will get an up-close look at Jones during the week of practices commencing Jan. 25. They’ll have an opportunity to meet with him as well, something that is even more critical now that the 2021 NFL Combine has been canceled.

Jones has questions in his evaluation that in-person scouting will help clear up. His arm strength, for example, isn’t elite but is it good enough? Watching the live practice reps will help Bears scouts and front-office personnel make that call.

Jones completed over 77% of his passes for 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just four interceptions in 2020, a season that culminated in a national championship for Alabama. It’s true that Jones was throwing to an all-world cast of skill players, but so have many top quarterback prospects that preceded him.

That’s why the Senior Bowl practices will be so important. Seeing Jones throw to players who are a tick below those Alabama guys is informative, if not determinative of his ultimate draft stock, which as of now is anywhere from the middle of Round 1 to the early portion of Round 2.

The Bears hold the 20th overall selection, which could be right in Jones’ draft-day range should he perform well in Mobile.

Report: Bears have requested to speak with George Edwards about defensive coordinator job

The Bears are exploring all avenues to find a new defensive coordinator, which includes speaking with Cowboys assistant George Edwards.

The Chicago Bears have a vacancy at defensive coordinator, and they’re taking their time to examine all of the in-house and other candidates to replace Chuck Pagano, who retired this offseason.

Following a report that the Bears put in a request to interview Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon, Chicago is also requesting to speak with Dallas Cowboys defensive assistant George Edwards about their defensive coordinator opening, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer.

If the Bears are looking for experience at the defensive coordinator position, Edwards might be their guy. Before serving as Dallas’ senior defensive assistant, Edwards was the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator from 2014-19. Before that, he also served as defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills (2010-11) and the Washington Football Team (2003).

Interestingly enough, Edwards interviewed for the Bears’ coaching vacancy back in 2018 before Matt Nagy was hired. So he’s someone that’s been on their radar.

There have been reports that the Bears are also considering some internal candidates for the defensive coordinator position, namely defensive line coach Jay Rodgers and safeties coach Sean Desai.

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Report: Bears want to talk to George Edwards about vacant DC role

The Dallas Cowboys wanted it all, but they may not be in charge of what chefs are available to cook the meal. In the vein of wanting their cake and eating it to, it appears Dallas was on the verge of not just getting their cake in defensive …

The Dallas Cowboys wanted it all, but they may not be in charge of what chefs are available to cook the meal. In the vein of wanting their cake and eating it to, it appears Dallas was on the verge of not just getting their cake in defensive coordinator hire Dan Quinn, but also the cupcake as my Catch This Fade cohost Patrik Walker phrased it, in being able to retain defensive consultant George Edwards.

But it appears that just like with Kellen Moore having been reached out to by the Philadelphia Eagles, Edwards is on another team’s radar as well. The Chicago Bears are asking (not asking) for permission to interview the former Vikings coordinator to lead their defense, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer.

Chuck Pagano retired from coaching, leaving the Bears searching for a replacement.

Edwards was hired alongside Mike Nolan to help transform the Cowboys defense, but things went horribly wrong as the offseason was wiped away due to the coronavirus pandemic. Nolan insisted on installing a hybrid front defense that changed the roles of personnel like edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence, betraying head coach Mike McCarthy’s pledge to marry the scheme to the talents of his players. The results were a defense that ranked at the bottom of the league in almost every statistical category until a crazy end-of-the-year run creating turnovers.

Publicly, there’s been no confirmation of how much Edwards was involved in the day-to-day operations of the defense, or how much the club intended to have him involved with Quinn in the big chair. Still, Edwards experience with the linebacker position seemed to be a paramount focus for a group that has invested so much into the position, drafting Leighton Vander Esch in the 2018 first round and signing Jaylon Smith to a large extension prior to 2019.

Prior to Edwards’ six seasons as DC under Mike Zimmer in Minnesota, he was a linebackers coach at four different spots, including with Dallas during the late 1990s.

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LSU finalizing deal to hire Saints’ Ryan Nielsen as new DC

New Orleans Saints defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen is finalizing a deal with the LSU Tigers to be their new coordinator, per NFL Network.

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NFL Network’s Jane Slater reports that New Orleans Saints defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen is finalizing a deal with the LSU Tigers to become their next defensive coordinator, with Nielsen meeting with Saints head coach Sean Payton on Monday to break the news. ESPN’s Mike Triplett confirmed the report.

If hired, Nielsen would be reuniting with LSU’s Ed Orgeron, who coached him at USC during his playing days before adding Nielsen to his Ole Miss staff in one of his first coaching jobs. Before he made the jump to the NFL in 2017, Nielsen was an accomplished defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for the N.C. State Wolfpack, so it makes sense for him to take a promotion at the college level. He sent multiple prospects into the NFL draft.

He’ll be missed. The Saints have reached sacks totals of 45, 51, 49, and 42 over the last four years with him coaching up their defensive line. His departure would also be felt in the development of inexperienced Saints linemen like Marcus Davenport, Shy Tuttle, and Malcolm Roach. It’s just one more change for the Saints this offseason.

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Former Bears LB Sam Acho makes his case for Sean Desai as defensive coordinator

The Bears have one glaring vacancy on their coaching staff and former LB Sam Acho knows just the person to fill it.

The Chicago Bears have one glaring vacancy on their coaching staff and a former player knows just the person to fill it.

Former Bears outside linebacker Sam Acho took to Twitter Monday and voiced his support for safeties coach Sean Desai, urging the team to hire him as the next defensive coordinator following the retirement of Chuck Pagano.

Acho, who played for the Bears from 2015-2018, says Desai “has been ready for that role for years” in a tweet. “[Desai] was Vic Fangio’s right hand man for 4 years and helped craft that defense to greatness. Smart, talented, knows ball and has all the credentials. All he needs is an opportunity.”

The former Bear continued to praise Desai, calling him “a splitting image of Brandon Staley,” who was Acho’s position coach with the Bears from 2017-2018. Staley went on to coach the Denver Broncos outside linebackers in 2019, then became the Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator this past season and was just named the Los Angeles Chargers head coach on Sunday evening.

Acho then explained Desai would be the one to get the defense back to their 2018 form.

Desai has been a part of the Bears coaching staff since 2013, when he was hired as the team’s quality control assistant. He worked with the secondary while also contributing to special teams. He held that title until the 2019 season, when he was promoted to safeties coach. Prior to his time with the Bears, Desai was in the college ranks, serving various roles with Temple, the University of Miami, and Boston College.

Acho’s recommendation for Desai comes just days after an NFL Network report indicated Desai and Bears defensive line coach Jay Rodgers were the top internal candidates for the coordinator position. Rodgers, who has also been with the Bears for a number of years, could be a candidate to join Staley in Los Angeles as their defensive coordinator.

With coaching vacancies opening and closing quickly, the Bears need to move fast to find their new coordinator. They’re looking outside the organization too as Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports the team has requested to interview Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon for the open position. If it were up to Acho, however, they should stick with their own secondary coach and give Desai the job.

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Chargers hire former Bears OLB coach Brandon Staley as head coach

Just two years after leaving the Bears, former OLB coach Brandon Staley has earned himself a head coaching gig with the Chargers.

Just two years after leaving the Chicago Bears, former outside linebackers coach Brandon Staley has earned himself a head coaching gig with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Staley served as the outside linebackers coach under Vic Fangio from 2017-18, where he worked with the likes of Bears edge rushers Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd during that magical 2018 season.

After former Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio left for the head coaching job with the Broncos, Staley went with him to coach the outside linebackers in Denver in 2019.

Staley became the Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator in 2020, where he led the NFL’s best defense, which helped the Rams to a 10-6 record and the postseason. Staley was a favorite among potential head coaches this offseason, and the Chargers made it official . Staley replaces Anthony Lynn, who was fired after four seasons and a 33-31 record.

With the Bears having a vacancy at defensive coordinator, they’ve learned the hard way that it’s important to take a look at young up-and-coming coordinators. Look for Chicago to consider defensive line coach Jay Rodgers and safeties coach Sean Desai for their vacant defensive coordinator position.

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Report: Bears request to interview Colts DB coach Jonathan Gannon for defensive coordinator

Colts DB coach Jonathan Gannon is among the candidates the Bears are looking at to fill the role of defensive coordinator.

The Chicago Bears have plenty of questions during this 2021 offseason, and one of those is who will succeed Chuck Pagano as the team’s defensive coordinator.

While there’s a belief that Chicago will look internally at potential replacements, they’re also looking around the league.

The Bears have put in a request to interview Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon for the defensive coordinator position, according to The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain.

Gannon has been with the Colts since 2018, where he was brought in with head coach Frank Reich. Before that, Gannon served as an assistant defensive backs/quality control coach for the Minnesota Vikings from 2014-17.

Some of the internal names being discussed for Chicago’s defensive coordinator include safeties coach Sean Desai and defensive line coach Jay Rodgers, who is expected to garner interest as defensive coordinator around the NFL.

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2021 Cowboys offseason: Cap hits for all contracted players

Dallas Cowboys 2021 roster and salary cap hits.

The Dallas Cowboys currently have 47 players under contract for the 2021 season. While the salary cap is yet to be determined, it is expected to be above the floor set prior to last season of $175 million. Some scuttlebutt has floated the idea of a $195 million cap.

Right now salary cap website Over the Cap is projecting $176 million and shows Dallas has an estimated $23 million of space. Here’s a look at every players hit.

A look at the quarterbacks participating in the 2021 Senior Bowl

Here’s a look at the six quarterbacks participating in the 2021 Senior Bowl that the Bears should keep an eye on.

With the 2020 season in the books, the Chicago Bears’ attention shifts to the offseason, including the 2021 NFL Draft.

The Bears will be looking to address their quarterback concerns, which could certainly include drafting a quarterback. Which is why all eyes should be on the quarterbacks headed to Mobile later this month for the Senior Bowl.

Here’s a look at the six quarterbacks that will be participating in the 2021 Senior Bowl.

Report: Potential defensive assistants, Smith and Durde, interviewed by Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys interviewed two potential assistant defensive coaches this week, Aden Durde and Giff Smith.

The Dallas Cowboys hired Dan Quinn to be their defensive coordinator, and Joe Whitt Jr. as a defensive backs coach earlier this week, but it appears the club isn’t done adding coaching help on the defensive side of the ball. Dallas interviewed two people for roles in 2021. Ed Werder announced that Giff Smith was in contact with the club and according to a report by Brianna Dix of D210 Sports, Aden Durde was also in the running for a potential role under Quinn.

Smith could be in line for the defensive line coaching role as a potential replacement for Jim Tomsula, who was let go after one season, just as defensive coordinator Mike Nolan was.

The Georgia Southern graduate has been coaching football since the early 1990’s, and has been a defensive line coach in the NFL for a decade now. Smith began his professional career on the Buffalo Bills staff in 2010, where he spent three seasons. Smith would then go on to the same role with the Titans for two years, then his most recent stop, the Chargers, where he oversaw their defensive front from 2016 until the end of this season.

Dix had these positive notes about Smith in her article covering the interviews,

“In Smith’s first year with the Chargers in 2016, the unit held the league’s 10th ranked rush defense and tallied the NFL’s second-highest percentage of tackles for a loss. That same year under his leadership, Joey Bosa was awarded NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors for leading the chargers and all NFL rookies in sacks with 10.5. The next year in 2017, Smith helped develop Bosa and Ingram into an elite power-edge rush duo, leading the league in pressures and combining for 23 sacks. The team’s 43 sacks were tied for fifth in the league and the defensive front continuously wreaked havoc on quarterbacks, ranking third in the league in fewest passing yards allowed.”

Smith, along with current Cowboys defensive line assistant Leon Lett, are the two names most associated with the Cowboys defensive line coaching vacancy.

The second of the two Cowboys interviewee’s, Durde, has a background unlike any other coach in NFL history.

Durde was born in Middlesex, England, where he would go on to play for the London Olympians in the British American Football Association. Durde would win a championship in London, before moving to a more respected league, NFL Europe, where he played linebacker for the Scottish Claymores.

Durde’s European success would lead him to two different NFL practice squad stints, first with the Panthers in 2005, and then with the Chiefs in 2008.

His playing career would end shortly after his time with the Chiefs, but Durde returned to London and immediately became the defensive coordinator for six seasons with his hometown London Warriors.

Durde’s next step in coaching was sparked by a moment of chance, or fate perhaps. Jason Butt of Atlanta Journal-Constitution details what happened whenever Durde visited America in 2014,

“After taking some international players to a workout in Dallas, he happened to bump into a coaching contact he knew, who helped set him up with an interview with the Cowboys. Not long after, Durde became a coaching intern for the Cowboys.”

So this week’s meeting wasn’t the first time the former linebacker has dealt with Dallas, as he was on the staff as an intern roughly five years ago.

Following that internship opportunity, Durde became the head of football development for NFL UK, where he helped lead the International Pathway Program, which links talented european football players with NFL squads.

In 2016, Durde was gifted the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship by Dan Quinn and the Atlanta Falcons. After two seasons with Atlanta, Durde was hired to be the Falcons Defensive Quality Control Coach, making him officially the first ever British NFL coach. That lead Durde to becoming the Falcons linebackers coach this past offseason.

With ties to both the Cowboys and Quinn, it makes sense as to why Durde was brought in for an interview, but it remains unclear whether the well-respected Durde, if hired by Dallas, would work as the linebackers coach alongside Scott McCurley, or if the team would have a different role in mind for him.

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