(670 The Score) Bears coach Matt Nagy is giving new defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano full control of the league's top-ranked scoring defense, and that includes choosing his own staff.
With that, new Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, previously the Bears' defensive coordinator, has the chance to bring his former assistants from Chicago to Denver. Now-former Bears outside linebackers coach Brandon Staley became the first to accept a job in Denver after recently being dismissed in Chicago, with the Broncos officially bringing him on in the same position Tuesday morning.
Though Staley was informed by the Bears last week that he wouldn't be retained, the team blocked the Packers' request to interview him for their outside linebackers coach position, a source confirmed. Longtime NFL defensive assistant Rob Ryan is considered a candidate to replace Staley as the Bears' outside linebackers coach, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The Bears are still awaiting a decision by veteran defensive backs coach Ed Donatell as to whether he wants to return to that position on a new contract or take a role elsewhere, most likely as Broncos defensive coordinator. Donatell has coached with Fangio since 2011, working under him for four years apiece in San Francisco and Chicago.
Donatell interviewed for the Bears' defensive coordinator position last Thursday before Pagano was interviewed and hired Friday. That left questions to Donatell's future given that he's out of a contract with the Bears.
"We're working through that process right now," Bears coach Nagy said Monday afternoon during a season-ending press conference. "There's a possibility (Donatell returns). But he was out of contract, so he has a decision to make.
"I have a ton of respect for him, and it's mutual between both of us. We're working through that."
Nagy declined to offer specifics on the remaining changes to the Bears' coaching staff. Pagano wasn't present for comment during the press conference Monday as he's coaching in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl this week in Carson, California.
The changes on the Bears' defensive staff continued with inside linebackers coach Glen Pires and assistant defensive backs coach Roy Anderson also being let go, according to multiple reports.
Anderson could potentially land with Fangio's staff as the new Broncos defensive backs coach should Donatell become the defensive coordinator. Denver may retain linebackers coach Reggie Herring, a 37-year coaching veteran and a former assistant with the Bears under former coach Marc Trestman. Herring has coached in Denver since 2015.
What Pagano and the Bears do with the rest of the defensive coaching staff -- including defensive line coach Jay Rodgers -- remains unclear as the changes continue at Halas Hall. Nagy made it clear that Pagano will have full ownership and control of the defense, the same way Fangio did during their first and only season together.
"I feel like it will be a pretty seamless transition," Nagy said.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
