Chicago Bears: Under-the-radar defensive coordinator candidates

The Chicago Bears need a fresh, up-and-coming replacement for Chuck Pagano.

Whatever happened to the Chicago Bears defense over the past two years is now history. Defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano announced he will be retiring, leaving the Bears with the luxury of finding a replacement.

Yes, a luxury — that’s exactly what this situation is for both sides.

For the Bears, it’s about time they find a coordinator who can revert back to being an aggressor. Pagano was far too safe to coach this group which once featured a ball-hawking mentality.

On the other end, any potential coordinator interviewing for this position has to be licking their chops at the thought of getting to coach a unit featuring Khalil Mack and a defense that still possesses All Pro talent as it did a couple of years ago.

This defense is not too far removed from a stellar 2018 season and the same core is still intact. Whomever the Bears choose to replace Pagano has to be someone who can come in and bring back the physical, aggressive style ran by former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

There are many qualified candidates to replace Pagano, but the Bears may want to look deeper than just the surface. They could go with guys who have former coordinator experience, or they could also go the route of finding an up-and-coming coach that may bring a fresh approach — similar to how offensive coordinators are being found nowadays.

If the Bears wanted to go the unconventional and under-the-radar route, one of the following three coaches could make a lot of sense in Chicago.