The defensive coordinator search is ramping up for the Chicago Bears. In the space of the past 24 hours, the team has either requested an interview or met with three different candidates. Among them are former coordinators James Bettcher and George Edwards along with Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon. They aren't alone though. The Bears also have two in-house candidates getting a look in defensive line coach Jay Rodgers and safeties coach Sean Desai.
Most of the attention has been on Rodgers in that regard. Not a huge surprise. He's the more experienced of the two and has put together a portfolio of work that is hard to beat since arriving in Chicago. Akiem Hicks became a Pro Bowler while Eddie Goldman, Roy Robertson-Harris, and Bilal Nichols all developed into legitimate starters. He's earned the opportunity. Meanwhile, not a lot of people are talking about Desai. Should they be?
Former Bears linebacker Sam Acho certainly thinks so.
Desai is a fascinating case. He's been tucked away on the Bears coaching staff dating back to 2013. He's survived the firing of two different head coaches. That is usually a sign that the man is highly thought of inside the building. It wasn't until this year though that he finally got his first chance as a position coach, taking over the safeties. All things considered, he did a fine job. Veteran Tashaun Gipson was a standout during the season with two interceptions and also missing just three tackles. DeAndre Houston-Carson, their longtime backup also had a career year with his first interception and three passes defended. Eddie Jackson had a difficult year in coverage with zero interceptions but did have a career-high 82 tackles.
