CHICAGO — Philip Rivers or Jay Cutler?
That may be the question for Rob Chudzinski, the latest candidate to interview for the Bears’ offensive coordinator position. Chudzinski flew to Chicago on Wednesday and is scheduled to interview Thursday, league sources said.
Chudzinski served as the Chargers’ assistant head coach and tight ends coach this season, working with Rivers, tight end Antonio Gates and the Chargers dynamic offense. But he could have an opportunity to work with Rivers’ rival Cutler in Chicago.
He was operating on a one-year contract in San Diego, which makes him a virtual coaching free agent. The Bears still had to receive permission to interview him because he is tied to the Chargers into February, however. It is believed the Chargers want him back, but it is unlikely they would offer him total control of an offense as the Bears could.
Chudzinski is known for his ability to develop tight ends, having worked with Gates, as well as Bubba Franks, Kellen Winslow and Jeremy Shockey at the University of Miami. He also coached Greg Olsen when Olsen was a redshirt freshman in 2003.
He is a former tight end himself, having been a three-year starter and playing on two national championship teams for Miami before coaching there. Chudzinski was the offensive coordinator for Miami’s national championship team in 2001, and for the 2002 team that set school records for points and yards before losing to Ohio State in the national championship game.
Among the coaches who have influenced him are Jimmy Johnson, Larry Coker, Butch Davis, Marty Schottenheimer and Norv Turner.
It is believed his offensive philosophy is most similar to that of Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. “Chud” worked with Cameron in San Diego before he became the Browns offensive coordinator under Romeo Crennel in 2007.
Chudzinski looked like a genius for most of the 2007 season. Derek Anderson did not become the regular quarterback until midway through the opening game, but ending up playing in the Pro Bowl. Wide receiver Braylon Edwards and Winslow joined him there, as all three had career years and the Browns finished eighth in the league in offense after finishing 31st the year before.
In the second-to-last game of the season, the Browns threw the ball 48 times on a cold, windy day in Cincinnati and lost 19-14 to the Bengals, who relied on their rushing attack. Chudzinski was criticized for his game plan, and the Browns failed to make the playoffs despite a 10-6 record.
After the season, the Ravens sought to interview Chudzinski for their head coaching vacancy, but Chudzinski declined, instead accepting a lucrative contract extension to remain as the Browns offensive coordinator.
But the following season, it all fell apart in Cleveland. Injuries to key players limited the Browns offense. The Browns fell to 4-12 and finished 31st in offense. Crennel and his staff were fired.
People who know Chudzinski well refer to him as very bright, hard working and well versed in his offensive system. There is no question the 41-year-old has significant potential. Chudzinski is known for using formations and personnel groups to create mismatches.
If Chudzinski doesn’t work out, the Bears still could turn to Bengals quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese or former Rams head coach Mike Martz.
The Bears’ search for a defensive coordinator apparently is on the backburner at the moment, as the team is prioritizing the offensive coordinator hire.
In another development, FootballCoachScoop.com reported Bears running backs coach Tim Spencer, who has been with the Bears since Lovie Smith was hired in 2004, has spoken to Michigan State about its running backs position.
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