Jeremy Bates Joins Seattle Seahawks, Not Chicago Bears, as Offensive Coordinator

ESPN reported today that former USC quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates will opt to become the new offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks rather than perform the same role with the Chicago Bears.

In an interview with ESPN reporters, Bates expressed that he felt he had more security in Seattle than in Chicago due to his former coaching relationship with Pete Carroll.

It was believed that Bates might go to the Bears in order to be reunited with Jay Cutler, a former player of his when he was the offensive coordinator in Denver. 

When Bates was hired at USC, Cutler had this to say of his former coach: "Jeremy is one of the best offensive minds in football. He was extremely innovative with our offense and took our playbook to the next level with some of the things he did, keeping defenses off balance and changing our look but at the same time keeping it simple for us players."

It's clear that Cutler would have loved to have his old coach in the Windy City, but for now, the Bears are still searching for an offensive coordinator. The more popular prospects remaining are Mike Martz, Jedd Fisch, and Bill Musgrave. 

While it's purely speculation for now, the presence of both Carroll and Bates in Seattle could mean a new quarterback in a 'Hawks jersey before the start of the 2010 season.

The obvious guess would have to be Matt Leinart, a former USC star who lit up the field under Carroll and staff. Another guess might be that, with two first round picks, Seattle might have enough firepower to acquire Cutler from a struggling Bears team that may be looking to reestablish their offense under a different passer. 

There are a number of possibilities with an uncapped year approaching, though. After a short and unsuccessful run in this year's playoffs, both the Bengals and the Eagles consider trading their longtime superstars. 

Either way, Seattle stands in a good position to retake control of the NFC West and make a run for the playoffs in 2010. 

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