NFC Notes: Bears, Cardinals, Cowboys, Redskins

Bears

• Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that the Bears made it known to their head-coaching candidates that they were interested in retaining DC Vic Fangio.
• According to Biggs, it’s believed that Fangio was one of the highest-paid defensive coordinators in the NFL this past season at more than $2 million, trailing perhaps only Rams DC Wade Phillips.
• Biggs says that it will likely require a pay raise to keep Fangio.
• Should the Bears not be able to strike a deal with Fangio before he’s a free agent on Tuesday, Biggs says that it would not be a surprise if the Packers were atop the list of a few teams.

Cardinals

• Mike Jurecki is hearing that it could be an option for the Cardinals keep some of the previous staff under Bruce Arians, depending on who’s hired as the team’s next head coach.
• According to Josina Anderson, the Cardinals are scheduled to interview Panthers DC Steve Wilks on Wednesday after he meets with the Giants Tuesday.
• Vaughn McClure reports that the Cardinals will meet with Falcons special teams coach Keith Armstrong regarding their head-coaching vacancy on Monday in Atlanta.
• The list of reported candidates for the Cardinals includes Vikings OC Pat Shurmur, Eagles QBs coach John DeFilippo, Eagles DC Jim Schwartz, Patriots DC Matt Patricia, Patriots LB coach Brian Flores, Steelers OL coach Mike Munchak, Cardinals DC James Bettcher, Falcons STs coach Keith Armstrong and Panthers DC Steve Wilks. 

Cowboys

• Alex Marvez reports that Cowboys assistant special teams coach Keith O’Quinn is expected to get reassigned on their coaching staff.
• According to Marvez, O’Quinn could either be promoted to special teams coach replacing Rich Bisaccia or moving to tight ends coach replacing Steve Loney.

Redskins

Redskins HC Jay Gruden mentioned that he would like to get a decision made regarding whether QB Kirk Cousins will be with the team long-term or not.

“I think something has to be done,” Gruden said, via the Washington Post. “I personally don’t want to go through another one-year deal, and just [keep going] one year, one year. I think you want to have a quarterback in here that’s going to be here. And hopefully that is Kirk, and if not, we have to move on and do what we have to do as an organization.

“For the most part, the great quarterbacks are in the same system year in and year out, and are developing in that system. [Teams are] not holding our breath every March and April, waiting for the guy. But if that’s the case, that’s the case. But we like Kirk and his development. He’s played well at times, without a doubt, proven that he’s a good starting NFL quarterback.”

• Cousins said recently he does believe the Redskins “are all in” on wanting to sign him to a long-term deal. (John Keim)
• Cousins added that Redskins owner Dan Snyder has been “phenomenal” in communicating his desire to keep him around in Washington.
• We have Cousins featured in our Top 100  – 2018 NFL Free Agents list.