The Chicago Bears’ pursuit of John Fox as their next head coach has yet to materialize into a hiring. But all indications remain strong that the organization and the 59-year-old coach will soon be united, once they can agree on terms and finalize a contract.
New Bears general manager Ryan Pace was believed to be in Denver on Thursday, according to two sources. That’s an indication that the Bears’ courtship of Fox was progressing. Even with no announcement of a hiring yet, it is believed the Bears are still aiming to seal the deal with Fox soon, pushing to reach the final stages of a coaching search that began on Dec. 29.
It stands to reason that Pace would prefer to spend time with Fox before finalizing the hire. Although Fox has a longstanding relationship with Bears consultant Ernie Accorsi and their mutual friend, Sean Payton, the two of them have never worked together.
Fox, who spent the past four seasons with the Denver Broncos before splitting from that organization earlier this week, interviewed with the Bears at Halas Hall on Wednesday and returned back to Colorado later in the evening.
It is unclear whether Pace’s trip to Denver served as a second interview of Fox or as part of the contract negotiation stage. But the Bears GM, according to the source, is expected to return to Chicago on Friday.
