John Fox, Jim Schwartz, Adam Gase, Todd Bowles and more NFL coaching movement

The NFL is a tough business, as evidenced by John Fox's 'departure' from the Denver Broncos. It's safe to assume their mutual parting was more Denver wanting to part with Fox than vice versa.

Even going 46-18 in four seasons with the Broncos wasn't enough to take the sting out of two one-and-done playoff trips with teams expected to be in the Super Bowl. Before being named the head coach in Denver, Fox had a 73-71 record with the Panthers, as he's been a winner wherever he coached.

As for who his next team will be, it probably won't be the Jets,  CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports John Fox is "likely to emerge" as a top candidate for the Bears' head-coaching job. Chicago doesn't seem to have a front-runner for their next coach, so Fox will at least get some interest from them.

As for Fox's assistants in Denver, offensive coordinator Adam Gase is still a prime head-coaching candidate. The 49ers like him, and they will hold their second interview with Gase for their head-coaching vacancy on Tuesday.

However, CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco reports "some around the league" believe 49ers DL coach Jim Tomsula is quietly the frontrunner for the 49ers' head-coaching job. It's a murky situation in San Francisco, but whoever gets the gig is taking over a loaded roster when everyone's healthy.

Other news:

Bills defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz won't return to the team in 2015 after Buffalo head coach Rex Ryan tabbed Dennis Thurman for that role.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians has had discussions with Dick LeBeau about joining his staff in Arizona after parting with the Steelers. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles as the "leading candidate" to replace Mike Smith as Falcons head coach.

The Browns and Jaguars have requested to interview Cowboys OC/OL coach Bill Callahan for their offensive-coordinator vacancies.

Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has a second head-coaching interview with Falcons scheduled on Thursday.