Toub explores if the grass may be greener elsewhere

Dave Toub, who remains under contract as the Bears’ special teams coordinator and under consideration for their vacant head-coaching position, is exploring other options.

According to the Charlotte Observer, Toub interviewed with Panthers head coach Ron Rivera on Wednesday for the special teams job in Carolina. Rivera and Toub worked together on the staff of former Bears head coach Lovie Smith for three years. Rivera was the defensive coordinator from 2004-06.

Toub is also expected to interview soon with the Chiefs and their new head coach Andy Reid, who hired Toub as a special teams assistant when he was the Eagles’ head coach. Toub was on Reid’s Philly staff from 2001-03, and they previously worked together at Missouri and Texas-El Paso.

Toub’s special teams ranked No. 8 in the NFL in 2012 and have finished in the top 10 in eight of his nine years with the Bears.

Toub is one of eight candidates who have already interviewed with general manager Phil Emery to succeed Smith, who was fired as the Bears’ head coach Dec. 31 after nine years. The latest is Packers offensive coordinator Tom Clements, who met with Emery on Thursday. Texans offensive coordinator Rick Dennison is scheduled to interview today, and Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell is slated for a Saturday meeting, followed by Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians on Sunday.

Vikings assistants Mike Priefer and Mike Singletary are also on Emery’s agenda.

Smith interviewed with the Eagles on Thursday for their head-coaching job, and the New York Daily News reported that former Bears general manager Jerry Angelo interviewed for the same job with the Jets on Thursday.