The Bears have requested permission to interview Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks for their head coaching vacancy, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link).
Wilks, 48, has quickly emerged as one of the top head coaching candidates around the league despite offering just one year of coordinating experience. In his first season as Sean McDermott‘s replacement in Carolina, Wilks lead the Panthers to a No. 7 rating in defensive DVOA, while his unit also finished seventh in yards and 11th in scoring. That performance has to led to several other interview requests, as the Colts, Giants, and Lions have all sought to meet with Wilks.
The Bears have cast a wide net after firing head coach John Fox earlier this week, as Wilks will join Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, and Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur as candidates for the Chicago job. Whomever lands the Bears head coaching gig will presumably ink a four-year contract in order to line up with general manager Ryan Pace, who was recently extended through the 2021 campaign.