Fansided

Chicago Bears request permission to interview Mike Mularkey

ByPatrick Schmidt|
Nov 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; General view of a Chicago Bears helmet on the sidelines against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; General view of a Chicago Bears helmet on the sidelines against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears have their head coach in John Fox and now he’s beginning to put a staff together, requesting permission to interview Mike Mularkey.

More from Chicago Bears

John Fox officially was named as the head coach of the Chicago Bears on Friday afternoon, replacing Marc Trestman who was fired after two seasons on the job. Now the former head coach of the Denver Broncos is beginning to put together his staff.

His first move was to request permission to interview Tennessee Titans tight ends coach Mike Mularkey for the offensive coordinator position, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.

Mularkey was requested for an interview by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt blocked them from speaking to him, so if his pattern holds firm he won’t allow Fox to meet with Mularkey.

Aug. 18, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
Aug. 18, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

He just finished his first season as the tight ends coach with the Titans in his first job since the Jacksonville Jaguars fired him as their head coach after a 2-14 season in 2012, his lone season with the Jaguars.

He has previously worked as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers and was the head coach of the Buffalo Bills from 2004-2005, compiling a 14-18 record and two third place finishes in the AFC East.

Fox has previously been linked to former Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, according to The Chicago Tribune, who resigned from his position amid dysfunction stemming from the handling of dysfunctional rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel.

Shanahan has seven years of experience as an offensive coordinator in the NFL stops with stops at Houston and Washington. He helped guide Robert Griffin III to the Offensive Rookie of the Year by orchestrating the former Heisman winner’s development in a zone running scheme built around play-action passes and a moving pocket.

Cutler thrived in the system Kyle’s father, Mike Shanahan, had when the two were together in Denver in the beginning of Cutler’s career with the Broncos and could be just what Cutler needs to realize some of his potential after a 2014 season that saw him regress and even benched for one game.

But if the Titans allow Fox to interview Mularkey, the Bears may pass on Shanahan in favor of Mularkey who I don’t think would excite Bears fans all that much.

More from FanSided

Home/Chicago Bears