Monday NFL news and rumors: Bears join Eagles in taking time to hire a coach

Two coveted names of the NFL's head coaching candidates--Mike McCoy of the Broncos and Tom Clements of the Packers--found their schedules substantially opened after the weekend, sending the NFL rumor mill into another spin.

- 2:03 PM: The Eagles, not linked to Ken Whisenhunt previously, have apparently interviewed the former Arizona coach today, the team confirmed. Whisenhunt, credited with turning the Cardinals franchise around, has gained the attention of several teams with head coaching vacancies this offseason, including the Chargers, Browns, and Bills.

- Jon Gruden, the highest profile candidate for many NFL head coaching jobs, has remained coy on his potential return to coaching. But according to a recent report, he's actually had four offers and turned them all down. It would take a particularly enticing situation to lure Gruden back toward a sideline, and it seems that many teams - including possibly the Eagles - did not meet his standards.

- One reason for the Eagles' ongoing head coaching search was presented by Jason La Canfora: Howie Roseman. The Eagles' GM was pinned as a detriment to the hiring process, due to his level of control, his role in creating the team's current problems, and the "uninviting situation" Philadelphia has at quarterback.

- 4:13 PM: The Chiefs have formally announced that the Packers' former Director of College Scouting John Dorsey is their new general manager. Dorsey shared time in Green Bay with  new Chiefs head coach Andy Reid in 1997-98.

- 12:06 PM: Mike McCoy is becoming a hot name on the board, as the Chargers will interview him today and the Cardinals are on his schedule tomorrow for a second interview.

- Over the weekend, the Eagles began showing interest in Brian Billick, and sat down with the former Ravens coach for eight hours. Without much competition, the team is moving purposefully through the interview process after meeting with Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, former Bears coach Lovie Smith, and Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and planning to interview Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden on Monday and Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians Tuesday.

- The Chargers' head coach search is in full swing as the usual suspects - former Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt, Mike McCoy, and Bruce Arians - have either been interviewed or will be in the coming week. Also on the schedule is Jay Gruden, whom San Diego's new GM Tom Telesco seems to consider the favorite.

- 11:27 AM: The Bears are saying there will still be some time before a head coaching finalist is announced.

After the weekend, the Bears will have interviewed 13 candidates to fill their head coaching vacancy left by Lovie Smith. Clements and McCoy are two of their possibilities, but with the sheer volume of names in Chicago's search, they seem to be having as difficult a time with narrowing the list as everyone else.

- The Jaguars, late in the head coach search, are playing catch up, but have already scheduled an interview with Jay Gruden. Speculation from CBS Sports NFL insider Jason La Canfora is that Jacksonville will wind up with a first-time head coach, like 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

- The Jags have talked with their defensive coordinator Mel Tucker to fill their coaching void, and have interest in the Rams' offensive coordinator Brian Schotteneheimer.

- Jay Gruden and Todd Haley have both been linked to the Cardinals, but a recent report indicates that Arizona is ready to make a push for Mike McCoy. The team's initial concern that they would have to promote defensive coordniator Ray Horton in order to keep him have subsided due to the lack of head coaching offers Horton has received, despite interviews with the Bills and Browns.

- The Jets may have a hard time filling their empty defensive coordinator position (though Rob Ryan is available). Their former coaches - all nine of them - don't seem to be having trouble finding work (Their former linebackers coach is now the Chiefs' defensive coordinator and their former defensive coordinator was hired by the Bills) and don't seem to mind that it isn't in New York.