Peyton Manning endorses Mike McCoy for Bears job

Denver offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, a top candidate for the Bears' open head coaching position, received an important endorsement Wednesday: his starting quarterback, Peyton Manning. As Mark Potash of the Sun-Times reported from a quote obtained by the Denver Post's Tom Kensler, Manning believes his new coordinator is ready for a promotion:

''He's ready. He's paid his dues,'' Manning said. ''Mike's a good leader. He's got some good coaches that have been mentors to him, different coaches that he's worked with in the NFL that I think he's incorporated some of their leadership philosophies and his own philosophy.''

McCoy began his coaching career as an offensive assistant with the Carolina Panthers in 2000. He remained on the Panthers staff when John Fox became head coach in 2002, eventually becoming passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. In 2009, McCoy accepted an offer from Josh McDaniels to become offensive coordinator at Denver. He remained in that position when his former boss, John Fox, took over in 2010. He developed the 2011 Denver offense that turned Tim Tebow into a playoff quarterback, and the 2012 Broncos were fourth in the league in scoring.

In recent days, McCoy has been mentioned in connection with open head coaching positions in Buffalo, Arizona, Philadelphia, and Chicago. The Bears have reportedly asked for permission to interview him.