SAN DIEGO - Mike Singletary could be named the Ravens' linebackers coach by next week, an NFL source said yesterday.

The Chicago Bears Hall of Fame linebacker is in Baltimore and has been offered the job by Ravens coach Brian Billick. Singletary has been contacted by a couple of teams about becoming an assistant coach but is deciding between the Ravens and Detroit Lions, the source added.

Singletary's wife is from Detroit, but he apparently is leaning toward joining the Ravens. Singletary, who retired in 1992, has no coaching experience, but he had a reputation for great attention to detail as one of the game's best linebackers.

The Ravens are in need of a linebackers coach since Mike Smith left to become the Jacksonville Jaguars' defensive coordinator on Tuesday.

- Jamison Hensley