Is Defensive Coordinator Rod Marinelli Leaving Chicago for Dallas?

The Twitterverse nearly boiled over when Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported last night that not only were there "signs pointing" to Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli leaving Chicago, but also that a possible destination could be the Cowboys:

All signs pointing to Rod Marinelli leaving the Bears. Being recruited to stay but likely to depart. could end up in DAL with Monte Kiffin

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 17, 2013

In the wake of the Bears firing Lovie Smith, it appears the Bears were hopeful of retaining Marinelli as their defensive coordinator. But according to Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times, Marinelli could opt for a “fresh start”, reportedly out of loyalty to Smith. Potash also writes that new Bears head coach Marc Trestman was planning to meet with Marinelli and other Bears coaches today to decide if he wants to retain any of them.

At around noon today, Zach Zaidman, a Chicago Bears Sideline Reporter, twittered that Marinelli would not remain with the Bears.

Multiple sources tell WSCR that Rod Marinelli will not be #Bears defensive coordinator under new head coach Marc Trestman.

— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) January 17, 2013

The Bears finished fourth, fourteenth and third in points allowed in the three seasons that Marinelli was their defensive coordinator, and losing Marinelli is a blow for the Bears defense. But Chicago's loss could turn out to be the Cowboys' gain. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune took to Twitter last night to report that Monte Kiffin is hopeful he can get Marinelli to join him in Dallas.

Marinelli and Kiffin worked together in Tampa Bay from 1996 to 2005 so the two are very familiar with each other. It's possible the Cowboys are trying to lure Marinelli to Dallas with the promise of eventually taking over as DC from Kiffin. Whatever the details of a possible agreement turn out to be, signing Marinelli would be a major coup for the Cowboys and their defense.