While the Bears will not top their Mike Singletary defensive coordinator interview for candidate popularity, they reached out to a former NFC North DC this week as well.
The Bears requested an interview with Cowboys senior defensive assistant George Edwards, and the former Vikings DC met with Bears brass, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets. Edwards worked in Minnesota for six seasons but spent the 2020 campaign on Mike Nolan‘s staff in Dallas.
The Cowboys had one of the worst defensive seasons in franchise history in 2020 but interviewed Edwards to replace Nolan, Hill adds. Dan Quinn, however, ended up landing the Dallas DC gig. Edwards, 53, has been an NFL assistant since 1998 and has held two defensive coordinator posts — in Buffalo and Minnesota — since 2010.
While Mike Zimmer played a major role in the Vikings ranking as a perennially stout defense during Edwards’ tenure, his top lieutenant played a key part in those units’ success as well. Minnesota’s defenses finished in the top 10 in points allowed in each of Edwards’ final five seasons. The Vikings took a considerable step back this season, though their defense lacked the talent of previous years.
Chicago has assembled a growing list of Chuck Pagano replacement options in recent days. Edwards and Singletary join internal candidates Jay Rodgers (D-line) and Sean Desai (safeties), ex-Cardinals and Giants DC James Bettcher and Colts DBs coach Jonathan Gannon.
Serious question. Why not hire Wade Phillips? He is ideal for this. Veteran coordinator who runs a 3-4, and veteran players who would fit system. Nagy is in a win now mode. Get a guy with proven success.
Phillips ain’t the solution his era has passed. Singatary is a good choice for two years good assistant but not a head coach
Nagy doesn’t have 2 years to turn it around he has 1 year and Singletary isn’t the answer.
Wade Phillips directed the Broncos defense to a championship in 2015. Pretty silly to say he’s out of touch with football in this era.
As much as HC positions are discussed about minorities, it would be nice to see how many coordinators positions and assistant HC positions are filled by minorities.
I honestly don’t know nor track those vacancies; but I think its a stat that should be provided by websites that heavily feature the NFL; here, CBS- FOX- NBC sports, ESPN, CNNSI PFT et al.
I think the focus on HC is because it has a larger barrier of entry. That said the NFL has started an initiative/incentive to encourage teams to cultivate/develop minority candidates for HC/GM roles. presenting 3rd rd compensatory picks for teams that have a lower-level coach promoted to those ranks elsewhere. it’s a new program so naturally it will have some latency in the results. I think it’s an improvement off the Rooney rule.
Rodgers is already gone to LAC. And Phillips is obviously the no brainer choice here.
Whoever they pick, Pace/ Nagy will screw it up.