The San Francisco 49ers travel to Chicago this weekend to face the Chicago Bears, and that means we get to see an old friend. Former 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will be in the opposing coaching booth directing his Bears defense against the 49ers offense. Fangio spent four years in Santa Clara, working for Jim Harbaugh, and developing a defense that when healthy was among the best in the league.
Another familiar name will be Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase. The 49ers interviewed Gase at the end of his tenure with the Denver Broncos, looking at him as a potential head coach. There were rumors he was set to become the 49ers next head coach, and then those quickly evaporated and Jim Tomsula was hired.
Matt Maiocco has put together a very helpful guide to many of the rumors from that frenzied period. It is hard to know exactly what to make of all of it because it's all anonymous sources. We've heard a mix of reasons, and I doubt we ever get the full story.
Whatever the case, it makes for an interesting storyline. The 49ers have struggled on the road, and are a touchdown underdog in this one. The offense and defense have both shown some signs of life, but the defense in particular has been a mess on the road. Do you think the Fangio/Gase storylines play into this at all, or is it just another football game and emotions are not sufficiently important to the outcome?