Whether as a player from 1984-92, as a defensive quality control coach from 1997-98, or as a defensive coordinator from 2004-06, the Chicago Bears and Ron Rivera have spent their fair share of time with each other.
Now, it's possible he could find himself back in Chicago, and not just as a guest for a 1985 Bears celebration.
Is Ron Rivera the Chicago Bears' next defensive coordinator?
Considering the Chicago Bears' vacancy at the position, as well as Rivera's reported interest in potentially being a defensive coordinator again, the two parties could find themselves working together once again. It could give Rivera a chance to get back to coaching instead of having to worry about all the things fans don't see head coaches doing.
As a defensive coordinator, Ron Rivera did quite well with the Chicago Bears from 2004-06. Outside of the first year, Rivera did an outstanding job with a defense that would eventually face-off against Peyton Manning in the Super Bowl.
2004 Chicago Bears defense | 2005 Chicago Bears defense | 2006 Chicago Bears defense |
|---|---|---|
331 points allowed (13th) | 202 points allowed (1st) | 255 points allowed (3rd) |
Now, maybe having Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Peanut Tillman, and a handful of other household names makes coaching a defense easier. I'm sure that helps. But, being a part of the 1985 Chicago Bears defense— one noted as being one of the best in NFL history— was surely a valuable experience.
Some time has gone by since Rivera was last in Soldier Field as a member of the home team, and since becoming a head coach, it hasn't been nearly as impressive.
In 13 seasons, Rivera was 102-103-2, and 3-5 in the playoffs. In those 13 seasons, as the stats suggest, it was pretty up and down. Consistency was something Rivera couldn't obtain as a head coach, but as someone with an entirely defensive playing career and coaching career up to that point, it seems as if Rivera has a niche.
And that niche could include coaching the defense of the Chicago Bears.
With a defensive mind in head coach Matt Eberflus, it could be an intriguing option for Ron Rivera to reunite with a familiar face in the Chicago Bears.