Bears close in on ex-49ers coordinator for RBs coach spot

The Bears are expected to add Curtis Modkins as their running backs coach, bringing them closer to rounding out their staff before leaving for the Senior Bowl.

Modkins spent last season as the 49ers’ offensive coordinator before Chip Kelly and his staff were fired.

Modkins spent the previous three seasons with the Lions, where he served as the running backs coach and, for part of his stay, run-game coordinator.

He also has worked for the Bills, Cardinals and Chiefs and in the college ranks.

Modkins replaces Stan Drayton, who left to become the associate head coach for the Texas Longhorns. He joins new offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn on a staff that still needs an outside linebackers coach and an assistant defensive backs coach.

No Watson in Mobile

The Bears won’t get a long look at Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson after all. Senior Bowl director Phil Savage said he will not participate in practices or in the Jan. 28 all-star game in which the Bears will coach the North team.

The Bears will get to work closely with three quarterbacks instead: Colorado’s Sefo Liufau, Pitt’s Nate Peterman and Iowa’s C.J. Beathard.

Cash to spend

The Bears will have about $8.10 million in carryover cap dollars to spend in 2017, according to figures released by the NFLPA. That’s slightly below the league average of $9.18 million.

The Bears’ figure — $8,103,197 to be precise — will be added to their salary-cap amount at the start of the league season in March.

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Email: pfinley@suntimes.com