The game of musical chairs playing out among defensive coordinator candidates continued Friday, with Philadelphia Eagles linebackers coach Ron Rivera agreeing to join the staff of the Chicago Bears, the team with which he played nine NFL seasons.
Rivera, 42, interviewed Friday with Bears rookie head coach Lovie Smith just one day after huddling with New York Jets officials. The Jets did not offer him the job, as head coach Herm Edwards appeared to have at least one more candidate in mind, but Rivera is now the sixth potential coordinator New York has either lost to another franchise or could not gain permission to interview.
League sources began suggesting Thursday night, even before Rivera arrived to interview with the Bears, that he probably would accept the Chicago job, if offered. Contract details were not immediately available.
The addition of Rivera means Smith has now filled both coordinator posts, having hired former Kansas City quarterbacks coach Terry Shea this week to run his offense. It also means there will now be at least 14 teams with new defensive coordinators in 2004.
Rivera played with the Bears 1984-92, and was on the Chicago team that won Super Bowl XX in 1985.
The former University of California star was a second-round pick in 1984 and played in 149 games, including 62 starts, with the Bears. He registered 392 tackles, seven sacks and nine interceptions during his career.
After retiring, Rivera spent four seasons as a television analyst, then joined the Chicago coaching staff in 1997. He moved to the Philadelphia staff in 1999, and head coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Jim Johnson had reiterated in recent months his readiness to run his own defense.