Bears-Mike Shanahan Speculation Heats Up

(CBS) After already interviewing Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase for their vacant coaching positions, the Bears have a meeting with Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles scheduled for Saturday.

They might soon sit down with a fourth coaching candidate as well.

Chicago is expected to interview Mike Shanahan after it has a general manager in place, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday morning. That echoes a Chicago Tribune report that said the team has made preliminary inquiries into Shanahan, who has also been linked to open jobs with the Raiders, 49ers and Bills as well.

Shanahan has been out of the game for a year after being fired in Washington following the 2013 season. He has a 170-138 record over a 20-year coaching career, which included back-to-back championships with the Denver Broncos in 1998 and '99.

Shanahan has previously worked with Bears quarterback Jay Cutler when both were in Denver. Shanahan was the coach when Denver drafted Cutler in 2006.

The Bears want to move quickly on their GM hire, with the Chicago Sun-Times reporting their want a new leader in place by Saturday for the interview with Bowles. Chicago is reportedly interviewing Tennessee vice president of player personnel Lake Dawson today and Kansas City director of pro personnel Chris Ballard on Wednesday.

In 2001, Ballard got his NFL start as an area scout for the Bears in the Southwest, a role he held for 11 seasons. In 2012, he was promoted to director of pro scouting for Chicago.

Over the past two seasons, Ballard has overseen the Chiefs' college and pro scouting departments. Ballard helped turn the Chiefs around from 2-14 to a playoff team last season.