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The Chicago Bears have asked the Denver Broncos organization for permission to interview their offensive coordinator, Mike McCoy, according to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports via Twitter.
McCoy has been a popular name in the coaching carousel in recent years, but his success with Peyton Manning this season could be the bump he needs to make the jump from coordinator to head coach.
Chicago fired long-time head coach Lovie Smith on Monday, after the team started 7-1 and failed to make the playoffs after finishing the season on a 3-5 run. There is a good offensive base in place for McCoy if he did happen to choose the Bears (and, likewise, if the Bears like his interview), with quarterback Jay Cutler, wide receiver Brandon Marshall, and running back Matt Forte all among the NFL's best.
McCoy has spent time with the Carolina Panthers, where he worked as an assistant from 2000-08. He went to Denver in 2009 and has remained their through a head coaching change.