CHICAGO _ Two weeks after firing four assistant coaches, the Bears remain in search of an offensive coordinator, creating questions about how attractive the opening is.
The Bears plummeted during an 8-8 season, finishing near the bottom of the league in nearly all offensive categories. They were 29th in total offense, 31st in yards per play and 29th in scoring, and the long-term future of quarterback Mitch Trubisky is iffy even after general manager Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy tried to paint a picture of a late-developing quarterback.
The Bears hoped to land former Giants coach Pat Shurmur to replace offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, but multiple reports indicate Shurmur will be hired by the Broncos, who fired Rich Scangarello over the weekend.
One source told the Tribune the Bears have expressed interest in former Bengals offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, who was out of the league this season. Lazor, 47, was the Bengals coordinator for two seasons (2017-18) and served as their quarterbacks coach in 2016.
He was the Dolphins offensive coordinator for two seasons (2014-15) and worked as quarterbacks coach for the Eagles _ after Nagy left Philadelphia _ Seahawks and Redskins, among other stops.
The Broncos would offer Shurmur an opportunity to call plays and coach quarterback Drew Lock. Nagy will retain play-calling responsibilities for the Bears, and with Trubisky at quarterback, it might require Nagy's best sell job to present the upside of the job.
Shurmur got a good look at the offense when the Bears beat the Giants 19-14 on Nov. 24 at Soldier Field. The Bears had one touchdown drive longer than 3 yards in that game.
Helfrich had a role in overseeing the running game, which struggled nearly the entire season and was an afterthought at times, such as the Oct. 20 loss to the Saints at Soldier Field in which the Bears set a franchise low with seven rushing attempts.
Nagy has filled two spots on his coaching staff, hiring Juan Castillo to replace Harry Hiestand as offensive line coach and Clancy Barone to oversee tight ends, replacing Kevin Gilbride. In addition to the offensive coordinator spot, the Bears have yet to name a replacement for special teams assistant Brock Olivo.
Shurmur's reported choice Sunday, the fireworks show at Arrowhead Stadium between Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and a strong performance by Aaron Rodgers to send the Packers to the NFC championship game made it a difficult day for the Bears.
Where Nagy turns from here will be interesting. Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka has experience with Nagy and is from Chicago and played at Northwestern, but he's not believed to be in the mix for the Bears. Perhaps Nagy would consider promoting quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone if Lazor and others are not deemed to be a match. Nagy also could consider reshaping some of the titles on the staff and consider Castillo for a running game coordinator role.
