If things had gone differently, Bears coach John Fox could be preparing to face former assistant Adam Gase this weekend. Instead, Gase will be calling plays for the Bears when they face San Francisco Sunday.
After Fox was fired in Denver, Gase was one of the leading assistants for the 49ers’ head-coaching job, and according to NFL.com, would have had the job as long as he agreed to one condition: That he hire current 49ers coach Jim Tomsula as his defensive coordinator.
“Gase turned that suggestion down flat,” said Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News, and San Francisco quickly hired Tomsula to replace Jim Harbaugh.
According to NFL Media’s Albert Breer, Gase wanted to keep Vic Fangio (who also interviewed for the job) on as his defensive coordinator. Instead, both Gase and Fangio followed Fox to Chicago.
Now the two teams – who appear to be going different directions – will meet Sunday in Chicago.
The Bears have won three of their past four to get back into the NFC playoff race, while San Francisco is 2-8 in its past 10.
Chicago is currently a seven-point favorite according to oddshark.com – the first time its been favored in a game all season.
Passing touchdown leaders for all 32 NFL franchises
All stats via NFL.
