Chicago has struck out on its first two candidates for offensive coordinator.

The Bears spoke extensively with Southern California assistant Jeremy Bates, according to Brad Biggs and Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune, and talks progressed long enough to discuss salary options. But Bates ultimately chose the security of Seattle’s new regime under Pete Carroll.

Next, the Bears were denied permission to speak with Green Bay quarterbacks coach Tom Clements, who is under contract through 2010. Even though a coordinator job would be a promotion, the Packers weren’t obligated to give Clements permission unless it was for a head coaching job. Here is that report from Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Bears are back to the drawing board, with Mike Martz one of the few other known candidates. They will reassess the situation Tuesday, according to the Tribune.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Are the Vikings a public underdog for their divisional playoff game against Dallas? Dave Campbell of the Associated Press asks that question.
• Vikings tackles Bryant McKinnie and Phil Loadholt better be ready for the Cowboys' pass rush, writes Rick Alonzo of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• Green Bay linebacker Aaron Kampman, who is rehabilitating a major knee injury and is a pending free agent, was non-committal Monday about his future. Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette has more.
• The Packers’ final play Sunday at Arizona is not subject to the tuck rule, writes Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Former NFL official Bill Carollo said that officials should have called a face mask penalty on that play, according to Jason Wilde of ESPN Milwaukee.
• Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford said his rehabilitation from minor surgery has gone well, according to John Niyo of the Detroit News.
• The Lions have more important things to do other than consider replacing place-kicker Jason Hanson, writes Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com.