Peyton Manning knows how the Bears will feel after they meet Saturday with Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase.
“I’m excited that he has the opportunity this weekend,” the future Hall of Famer said this week. “He deserves it, and teams that he talks to will be impressed.”
A source familiar with the Bears’ coaching search said the team remains steadfast in its desire to find a general manager before their next coach, but the Bears couldn’t miss their permitted opportunities to meet with Gase and Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn this week.
With the Broncos and Seahawks having first-round byes, Gase will interview with the Bears after Quinn apparently meets with them Friday. The Bears, who reportedly also have interest in former Bills coach Doug Marrone, are not allowed to interview Gase or Quinn next week. The Broncos and Seahawks are off Friday and Saturday.
“It’s a great opportunity to be able to do this,” Gase said during his availability this week at Broncos practice. “For these guys [from interested teams] to reach out and want to talk to me, I’m excited about it, but I’m also excited that we have another chance to make a [Super Bowl] run.”
There hasn’t been a shortage of endorsements for Gase and Quinn, either.
Quinn has overseen Seattle’s hybrid defense the last two seasons. In both years, the Seahawks finished No. 1 in total defense.
“Danny is up for three different jobs,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said during an Sirius XM interview this week. “He’s really hot right now. It’s always been part of our approach that we want to help our guys achieve what they want to.”
Some of Gase’s success the last two seasons is linked to Manning, but he’s highly regarded in league circles for his innovation, especially after his work with maligned quarterback Tim Tebow before Manning arrived.
When it comes to the Bears, Gase also is intriguing because he was Brandon Marshall’s receivers coach during a Pro Bowl season in 2009.
Gase said he prepared for his interviews, which also include the 49ers and Falcons, a long time ago.
“It’s an interesting dynamic to try to do it,” Gase said. “A lot of the times it happens in spring and the summer. It’s something that you kind of put on the back burner. Then you focus on the season.
“Three interviews is a lot of work. You’ve got a couple of days to get it done and make sure you know what you’re doing.”
