LeGere: Bears have first two coaching candidates

The Bears have requested interviews with two candidates for their head-coach opening: Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase and Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.

Both assistants have been frequently mentioned as contenders for most of the five vacant head-coaching positions in the NFL.

The Bears' desire is to hire their new general manager before deciding on a coach to replace Marc Trestman, but they have not ruled out signing the coach first.

Interestingly, Bowles already would be on the Bears' staff had recently fired general manager Phil Emery hired Bruce Arians two years ago instead of Trestman. Arians wound up as the Cardinals' head coach and, with the help of a Bowles defense that finished fifth in fewest points allowed, made the playoffs with an 11-5 record.

Gase is in his sixth season with the Broncos and just his second as coordinator. In his first season as coordinator, the Broncos averaged 37.9 points per game and were AFC champs. The Broncos averaged 30.1 points this season, although much of their offensive firepower is attributed to future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning.