Bears general manager Phil Emery has cast a wide net, and he's planning to interview a lot of head coach candidates.

First off, any assistant on a team that isn't participating in the postseason cannot be blocked from interviewing for a head-coaching vacancy. When and where that assistant interviews, though, can somewhat be influenced by the team that they are under contract to.

But there are rules for when assistants from the 12 clubs in the playoffs can speak to other teams interested in potentially hiring them as a head coach.

Here's a closer look:

January 6 -- Assistant coaches under contract to playoff clubs that have byes in the Wild Card weekend may be interviewed for head coaching positions through the conclusion of the Wild Card games (Jan. 5-6).

January 13 -- Assistant coaches under contract to playoff clubs that won their Wild Card games may be interviewed for head coaching positions through the conclusion of Divisional Playoff games (Jan. 12-13).

January 27 -- An assistant coach, whose team is participating in the Super Bowl (Feb. 3), who has previously interviewed for another club's head coaching job may have a second interview with such club no later than the Sunday preceding the Super Bowl.