Mike Martz to Chicago Rumors Swirling

With the Chicago Bears struggling through a season which began with such lofty expectations, many names are bound to be connected to the Bears. Most notably, people will start speculating about head coaches, defensive coordinators (to take pressure off Lovie Smith) and offensive coordinators who could replace the maligned Ron Turner.

A name that would make sense is Mike Martz -- who was head coach when Smith was the defensive coordinator in St. Louis for three seasons earlier this decade. Martz presently works as an analyst for the NFL Network, but -- according to the Chicago Sun-Times -- he would welcome being hired as the Bears' offensive coordinator.

"Martz would love to work with Jay Cutler," said the source, who cited the close relationship between Smith and Martz in sharing the information.

Martz didn't find much success in his last job as a coordinator, last season with the 49ers, but he has enough pedigree in the role that he could represent an upgrade to Turner and generate some creativity into a rather bland offensive plan.

Martz, 58, has expressed his desire to get back into coaching on the air several times this season. He has a 53-32 record as a head coach and took the Rams to the 2001 Super Bowl. He was the offensive coordinator for the Rams' 1999 Super Bowl championship.