GREEN BAY, Wisc. -- Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has often professed his appreciation for Tom Clements, his quarterbacks coach and his offensive coordinator in 2012.

But with Clements a candidate for the Bears head coaching vacancy, Rodgers isn't ready to wish his coach goodbye just yet.

"Tom is a great man and a great friend, and he's been a big part of my success," Rodgers said. "I've learned a lot from him and under his guidance."

Then Rodgers paused for a moment then concluded, "We hope he's still here next year."

Clements has an impressive pedigree, aside from his NFL coaching experience. He's a former Notre Dame starting quarterback, leading the team to a national title in 1973.

Clements was promoted to offensive coordinator after Joe Philbin left the Packers to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

But, like Philbin, Clements does have one red flag: he didn't call offensive plays. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy handles that duty, and he hasn't ceded it since taking over the team.