On Thursday, it was reported the Bears had interest in speaking with former Colts head coach Chuck Pagano about their open defensive coordinator role. Those reports were confirmed, as the team was expected to sit down with Pagano on Friday, Brad Biggs and Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune write. 
The Bears are emphasizing finding a replacement for Vic Fangio — who accepted the head coaching gig in Denver — who has experience in operating a 3-4 scheme and Pagano checks that box from his time in Indianapolis and with the Ravens as defensive coordinator.
Chicago is not the only team interested in Pagano. The Browns, Cardinals and Jets have all shown interest in the 58-year-old coach for their defensive coordinator. Before the spots were filled, he also interviewed for head coach with the Packers and Broncos.
Before spending 2012-17 with the Colts as head coach, Pagano found success as defensive coordinator with the 2011 Ravens, which he helped lead to the AFC Championship game. During that season, Baltimore boasted the league’s No. 3-ranked defense both in points and yards allowed.
The Bears are arguably the top landing spot for any defensive coordinator in 2019. In addition to having the top scoring defense with the most takeaways in 2018, the team also possesses a game-breaking talent in Khalil Mack to build around for the next several seasons.