The Chicago Bears seemed hopeful they would be able to hold on to defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli in the wake of firing head coach Lovie Smith at the end of the season.
However, with new head coach Marc Trestman in place, Marinelli may no longer want to stay in Chicago.
According to Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times, Marinelli could opt for a “fresh start” out of loyalty to Smith. Trestman is expected to meet with Marinelli and other members of Smith’s staff on Thursday to decide who he wants to keep.
Per Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, “signs point” to Marinelli leaving the Bears.
It would be a big blow to a Bears defense that was among the league’s best all season. Chicago finished the season as the fifth-ranked defense and led the league with 44 turnovers.
According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Dallas Cowboys new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is hopeful to get Marinelli to join his staff in Dallas.
With Kiffin already in place as defensive coordinator, Marinelli would likely be taking a lesser role (likely as defensive line coach) if he went to Dallas. It’s possible he would be named assistant head coach to Jason Garrett, which is a title he also holds with the Bears.