Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase is reportedly the favored target of the Detroit Lions if current head coach Jim Caldwell does not retain his position following the 2015 NFL season.
According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the interest is mutual.
“He would be interested in coaching in Detroit and is held in high esteem by former NFL general manager Ernie Acorsi, who is consulting for the team on potential GM and coach hires,” La Canfora writes. “While the Lions will not finalize a decision on the fate of coach Jim Caldwell until after the season, Gase will be a top target should Caldwell not return.”
Sources told La Canfora that working with Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford “would be attractive.” He’s already performed wonders working with Jay Cutler in Chicago and was lauded for his work with the Denver Broncos as well.
One tie to Detroit is Gase’s relationship with current offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, who could potentially be kept on staff to work under him as he’s done in the past, La Canfora notes. He also has “strong personal and working relationships” with many in Detroit’s front office.
Regardless of what happens in Detroit, Gase is likely not going to remain in Chicago as the offensive coordinator. He was considered as one of the top candidates to land a head coaching job last year and was one of the front-runners to replace Jim Harbaugh with the San Francisco 49ers. However, rumor has it he was put off by the idea that he’d need to keep Jim Tomsula on staff as the defensive coordinator and rejected the opportunity.
He’ll be a hot commodity once again in 2016, so if the Lions really do want him they’d be smart to make a move sooner, rather than later.