The Bear’s Den, January 5, 2017

BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!

BEARRRSSSS

Moreano: Hands down, the top three Bears' head coaching candidates - Da Bears Brothers - The Bears are starting off the new year looking for the best candidate to be the next head coach. Here are the absolute best three men for the job.

Kane: Why Pat Shurmur is a head coaching candidate for the Bears - Chicago Tribune - Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur is a popular candidate for head coach vacancies this offseason.

Potash: Bears' Ryan Pace knows the hot coordinators - finding a leader is the tough part - Chicago Sun-Times - But they’re hiring a head coach, and the trick is finding the guy who will impact all three phases of the team.

Cahill: Oddsmaker - Bears, new coach are in for another rough season - Chicago Sun-Times - It doesn't matter whom the Bears hire as their next coach, according to one oddsmakers, the team is in for another dismal season.

Da Bears Brothers' 2017 End of Season Awards - Da Bears Brothers - Take a listen as Da Bears Brothers officially say goodbye to the 2017 season by handing out awards (some good, some bad) that encapsulate the year that was.

Eurich: Kyle Long says final goodbye to John Fox and Dowell Loggains - Kyle Long said his final goodbye to former Chicago Bears head coach John Fox.

Dickerson: Bears GM talks Mitchell Trubisky, WRs, free agency in rare interview - Ryan Pace is optimistic about Chicago's approach as he heads into a key offseason needing a new head coach and more talent to support his young QB.

Wagoner: No Bears In Final NFL stats leaders in every major category for 2017 season NFL Nation- ESPN - Along with familiar faces such as Russell Wilson, a new generation of stars emerged to take over the NFL's leaderboards in the regular season.

Hughes: If Bears Go Offensive Head Coach, Shurmur the Conservative, Uninspiring Choice - Da Bears Blog - Three days into another boozeless, eight-week run, I have started to develop a bit of a sweet tooth. (This grows and grows as the eight weeks progress.) My go-to thirst quencher in this regard is the gelato from the fine folks at Talenti.

Finley: Are the Bears still interested in Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks? - Chicago Sun-Times - Sources confirmed that the Bears, who had informally inquired about Wilks, had yet to file a formal request with the league to interview him.

Finley: Why the Vikings’ George Edwards makes sense as the Bears’ next head coach - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears will interview Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards for their head coaching vacancy Thursday in Minnesota.

Finley: Naming a play-caller as head coach only way for Bears to guarantee QB stability - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears will interview their second defensive-minded head coach candidate in as many days Thursday. The trend won’t continue.

Gagnon: Ranking NFL head coaching vacancies: Which is the best job available? - The Comeback - Following the end of the 2017 NFL regular season and the Black Monday of coach firings, which is the league's best available opening?

Perez: Adrian Amos named to Pro Football Focus 2017 All Pro Team - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears safety Adrian Amos was named to Pro Football Focus 2017 All Pro Team

Emma: Vic Fangio’s Case For Bears’ Coaching Vacancy Is Simple - CBS Chicago - Fangio already has molded the Bears defense into a solid unit. He'd need to pitch the discovery of a bright offensive coordinator.

Mullin: New Bears coach will have to answer the Mitch Trubisky question - NBC Sports Chicago - Whoever comes in to serve as the next Bears head coach will not have any latitude when it comes to the quarterback situation in Chicago.

Cahill: Kyle Long says he'll 'miss' coach John Fox - Chicago Sun-Times - After three Pro Bowl seasons to begin his career, Kyle Long has suffered through two frustrating years.

Mayer's Chalk Talk: Who have Bears drafted at No. 8? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses the players the Bears have chosen with the eighth pick in the draft, the importance of previous head-coaching experience in coaching candidates and if the Bears would consider hiring a college coach.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Super Bowl LII Predictions: APC likes Saints & Vikings from NFC, Steelers & Patriots in AFC - Acme Packing Company - Eight APC writers are split evenly on which teams will represent the two conferences in the Super Bowl.

KNOW THY ENEMY

White: Lions DE Ziggy Ansah quietly sacked his way to a huge pay day this year - SBNation.com - The Lions DE is headed for free agency after a strong finish to the season. Retired NFL defensive end Stephen White named him Hoss of the Week.

Payton: Mike Vrabel is the Detroit Lions’ best option for head coach - Pride Of Detroit - Vrabel has everything the Lions should want in a new head coach.

Reisman: Jim Caldwell still wants to coach football - Pride Of Detroit - The former Lions head coach doesn’t appear ready to retire.

Detroit Lions 2018 head coach tracker: Latest news, rumors on interviews, hirings - Pride Of Detroit - Get all of the latest news and rumors in one place here.

Western: Packers open up offensive coordinator & QB coach jobs, per reports - Acme Packing Company - Edgar Bennett will not return in his previous position, while Alex Van Pelt’s tenure with the team is over.

Bukowski: Packers have a calculation to make with Russ Ball as reported front-runner for GM - Acme Packing Company - Is promoting Thompson’s apparent choice as successor worth losing valuable personnel talent?

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Adrian Amos named PFF All Pro - Windy City Gridiron - What a crazy journey it has been for Adrian Amos so far through three years with the Chicago Bears.

Sunderbruch: WCG Confidence Board Version 1.0 - Windy City Gridiron - Barring any trades, the Bears will pick 8th in the upcoming draft. Included here is a look at some of the talent that might be available.

FANPOSTS

FanPosts - Recent - Windy City Gridiron - Here’s a link to our FanPost section, where YOU have the opportunity to contribute to Windy City Gridiron. Take a few minutes and write a post about what you are thinking about regarding the Chicago Bears, and there’s a chance it will be linked right here in the Den.

THE RULES

Windy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - SBNation.com - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following is not permitted in comments, FanPosts, usernames or anywhere else in an SB Nation community: Comments, FanPosts or usernames that are intolerant or prejudiced; racial or other offensive epithets; Personal attacks or threats on community members; Gendered insults of any kind; Trolling; Click link for full information.

The Bear’s Den Specific Guidelines – The Bear’s Den is a place for Chicago Bears fans to discuss Chicago Bears football, related NFL stories, and general football talk. It is NOT a place to discuss religion or politics or post political pictures or memes, and any posts that do this will be deleted and the poster will be admonished. We do not allow comments posted where the apparent attempt is to cause confrontation in the community. We do not allow gender-directed humor or sexual assault jokes. The staff of WCG are the sole arbiters of what constitutes “apparent attempt to cause confrontation”. We do not allow the “calling out” of other members in any way, shape or form. Posts that do this will be deleted on sight. Bottom line, it’s fine to debate about football, but personal jabs and insults are strictly prohibited. Additionally, if you keep beating the same dead horse over and over and fail to heed a moderator’s warning to stop, you will be banned.

Click on our names to follow us on Twitter:

WCG Contributors: Jeff Berckes; Patti Curl; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter; Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Andrew Link; Ken Mitchell; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; EJ Snyder; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; Robert Zeglinski; Like us on Facebook.