Chicago Bears: 3 potential replacements for Vic Fangio

Knee-high to a grasshopper

Another candidate that makes a lot of sense is former New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles. Bowles, who was recently fired, ran an incredibly successful defense for the Arizona Cardinals before being hired to lead the Jets.

Bowles was even a candidate for the Bears job before John Fox was hired. However, he went to New York and his tenure did not end the way he wanted it to and was fired after this season.

Why he’ll get the job

The main reason is his connection to Nagy. Nagy’s dad coached Bowles in high school, and he’s known Matt since he was a little boy. In fact, Bowles wanted to hire Nagy as his offensive coordinator in New York to replace Chan Gailey.

The two obviously have a track record together, but it’s not the only reasons he would get the job. The fact is he is well respected throughout the league as a great defensive coordinator and would be a great addition to the Bears. He’s about as seamless as a transition as the Bears could get assuming they don’t hire from within. He would also bring experience as a head coach, and another sounding board/resource for Nagy.

Why he won’t get the job

Earlier this week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired former Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians. Bowles was Arians’ defensive coordinator in Arizona from 2013-2014. And reports are that Arians has already lined up Bowles to join him in Tampa Bay.

However, while the rumor was that an agreement had already been reached, word has come out this afternoon that a deal is not, in fact, done. Instead, Bowles is in the process of deciding between the Bears and the Bucs. The fact that he did not agree prior today says he may have anticipated Fangio leaving and wanted to keep his options open.