Fansided

Best candidates to fill each of the 6 NFL head coaching vacancies

By Bryce Olin

Oct 26, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone (L) talks to New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan (R) prior to their game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone (L) talks to New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan (R) prior to their game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Chicago Bears

Best Candidate: Adam Gase, Denver Broncos offensive coordinator

Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase is going to be a head coach in the NFL. It just depends on if this is the season he takes the leap and a team takes a chance on him.

Gase is only 36 years old, and he’s networked himself all the way up to offensive coordinator of one of the best offensive teams in the history of the NFL.

It’s hard to determine how much of the Broncos success is because of Gase and how much is because of star quarterback Peyton Manning. Although Manning has been great with the Broncos, Gase has also created some nice wrinkles in the offense by relying on and trusting  the running game, especially this season.

Gase’s commitment to the running game is the main reason I think he’s the best fit for the Chicago Bears.

Last season, Bears head coach Marc Trestman relied on Jay Cutler too much, especially with how bad Chicago’s defense was. Cutler averaged 37.4 passing attempts per game in 2014. That’s too many for a player with his skill set and frequent mistakes.

Obviously, the Bears were forced to throw more because they were losing, but Cutler should be throwing about 30 passes per game MAX.

If Gase becomes the Bears head coach AND Cutler is still on the team, I think Gase will take the approach the Dallas Cowboys took this season: run on first and second down, pass on third down. That’s how Dallas protected Tony Romo from taking extra hits and throwing interceptions.

The Bears have a great running back in Matt Forte, and he needs to be the focal point of the offense.

Forte is one of the best dual threat backs in the league. In 2014, he totaled 1,038 rushing yards and 808 receiving yards. Forte only carried the ball more than 25 times in one game this season. He’s better than that, and he deserves more touches.

Gase might not be the “win-now” candidate the Bears are looking for, but he’s a young coach with a great feel for what it takes to win on the offensive side of the ball.

Next: 4. Atlanta Falcons

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