Chicago Bears address

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I follow the Raiders as a loose second team since I live in the West Coast, and trust me, you want to stop the circus, and build a foundation. McCarthy has won a Super Bowl, I know that was a long time ago, but not many guys can say that.

I know Ben Johnson is the hot name that everyone wants (including the Raiders) but I'm not entirely convinced he'll end up the better HC over Aaron Glenn. Glenn is kind of looked at as the consolation prize by many, but man he took a defense of dudes off the street due to injuries and had Sam Darnold seeing ghosts again. Considering the injuries, that week 18 performance from the defense was one of the best I had ever seen in the regular season from any defense.

That's true. He's won more often than not with Green Bay and Dallas. The Super Bowl he did win was a very long time, ago. Much like Mike Tomlin. I think if you are the Bears, getting a guy like this is probably a "win", provided those guys are being brought here to win the Bears another Super Bowl for the first time in 40 years. To be honest, I could care less that McCarthy was at Green Bay. If he wins a Super Bowl in Chicago, nobody is going to care what he did before. That being said, does McCarthy have the juice at 61 years old to win a Super Bowl with his third employer. Chicago, no less, who haven't won on in 40 years and haven't been to one in 20.

Here is what I'll say about the Lions coordinators: Ben Johnson is an offense guy, 38, never played in the NFL. He has degrees in math and computer science. His offense this season has set multiple records. Aaron Glenn is defense, 52, played in the League. Glenn was a first round draft pick and played 14 years in the League. He coached DBs with the Browns and Saints from 2014-2020 before getting a DC opportunity.

Now knowing front offices and the recent hiring trends, why is one of these guys the hot name?

You are absolutely correct about Aaron Glenn, though. I think his time is now. Hiring an offensive staff will be key for him if he lands an HC job, especially Chicago, where the franchise and investments has been made in Caleb Williams. That's what you build around. Defensively, the Bears have some things in place for him already. They need an OL and more pieces around Williams.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Add Pete Caroll and Rivera to that list (although Rivera might have been Rooney rule)

Weaver was number three interview. They hit Rooney Rule there.

Rivera was an 85 Bear and Lovie's DC for a time. He was coming in since they're talking to everyone else as it is.

 

[MKEagle]

Weaver was number three interview. They hit Rooney Rule there.

Rivera was an 85 Bear and Lovie's DC for a time. He was coming in since they're talking to everyone else as it is.

I get it. I understand Rivera's significance to the organization, but we need to stop constantly pulling guys from the 85 Bears. It's great fanfare, but it just cements how unserious we are when we continue to reference and/or gain insight from a title that happened 40 years ago.

I think the frustration is with the fact that we're still conducting the first round of interviews when other teams' lists are getting narrowed down. If this is all a move to wait for Ben Johnson, then awesome, but you better be certain that we have terms to a conditional contract already hammered out.

I do agree with the points made about Aaron Glenn, but it sure seems like there isn't a strong appetite for a defensive-minded coach.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I get it. I understand Rivera's significance to the organization, but we need to stop constantly pulling guys from the 85 Bears. It's great fanfare, but it just cements how unserious we are when we continue to reference and/or gain insight from a title that happened 40 years ago.

I think the frustration is with the fact that we're still conducting the first round of interviews when other teams' lists are getting narrowed down. If this is all a move to wait for Ben Johnson, then awesome, but you better be certain that we have terms to a conditional contract already hammered out.

I do agree with the points made about Aaron Glenn, but it sure seems like there isn't a strong appetite for a defensive-minded coach.

It's not to glean Rivera's insight from 1985, it's to throw a bone to a guy they greatly respect and who has worked for the Bears in some capacity for nearly 15 years.

 

[sfk324]

Weaver was number three interview. They hit Rooney Rule there.

Rivera was an 85 Bear and Lovie's DC for a time. He was coming in since they're talking to everyone else as it is.

The current Rooney rule requires 2 in-person interviews with minority candidates outside of the organization for the head coaching position. The only in-person they are known to have conducted to date is Rivera.

 

[MKEagle]

It's not to glean Rivera's insight from 1985, it's to throw a bone to a guy they greatly respect and who has worked for the Bears in some capacity for nearly 15 years.

Maybe I'm making a mountain out of a molehill here. If this is simply a "Hey you mean a lot to the organization we'd love to talk to you in a formal setting (inherently knowing it counts to Rooney Rule)" then great but that's asking a lot out of an org that continues to trip over itself.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Maybe I'm making a mountain out of a molehill here. If this is simply a "Hey you mean a lot to the organization we'd love to talk to you in a formal setting (inherently knowing it counts to Rooney Rule)" then great but that's asking a lot out of an org that continues to trip over itself.

They used to do this all the time with Mike Singletary, it's pretty obvious.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I get it. I understand Rivera's significance to the organization, but we need to stop constantly pulling guys from the 85 Bears. It's great fanfare, but it just cements how unserious we are when we continue to reference and/or gain insight from a title that happened 40 years ago.

I think the frustration is with the fact that we're still conducting the first round of interviews when other teams' lists are getting narrowed down. If this is all a move to wait for Ben Johnson, then awesome, but you better be certain that we have terms to a conditional contract already hammered out.

I do agree with the points made about Aaron Glenn, but it sure seems like there isn't a strong appetite for a defensive-minded coach.

I don't disagree. They're interviewing everyone else so may as well interview Chico Rivera.

They're due for a head coach from the offensive side of the ball. They have alternated since Lovie.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Mike Vrabel
Drew Petzig
Anthony Weaver
Pete Carroll
Mike Kafka
Ben Johnson
Aaron Glenn
Ron Rivera
Thomas Brown
David Shaw

 

[MKEagle]

So they flew him private? That’s a change from previous searches

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

So they flew him private? That’s a change from previous searches

It most certainly is. I take that as a good sign.

And they flew him into Palwaukee in Wheeling too which is even better. Short drive to Halas Hall.

Somebody is learning....

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

It most certainly is. I take that as a good sign.

And they flew him into Palwaukee in Wheeling too which is even better. Short drive to Halas Hall.

Somebody is learning....

Since my kids showed up, I had to choose between following ND and the Bears and made the obvious choice. So I don't generally follow the NFL. it unusual for teams to publicly announce who they interview? It seems like a pretty low-rent PR stunt to try and placate the fan base this way.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Since my kids showed up, I had to choose between following ND and the Bears and made the obvious choice. So I don't generally follow the NFL. it unusual for teams to publicly announce who they interview? It seems like a pretty low-rent PR stunt to try and placate the fan base this way.

I'm not sure they're allowed to withhold that information lol

 

[dublinirish]

TBF you see this in CFB too Saban would always hire his agent's clients every year if they were available. its a huge racket

 

[MKEagle]

THE BEARS' PAST two hiring search committees included two constants, both of whom have long-standing relationships with Armstrong: McCaskey, the team's chairman, and former team president Ted Phillips, who began his 41-year career in Chicago as an accountant and rose to team president in 1999. Although he didn't have a coaching or scouting background, as team president, Phillips oversaw football operations until Poles and Eberflus were hired in 2022.

At the end of the 2021 season, just before the Bears fired GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy, CBS reported that Armstrong had discussed "a top management position" with the Bears. Armstrong denied the report via Twitter.

"Armstrong has had more influence with the Bears than any other team," a coaching agent said. "That's because he was dealing with an accountant that really didn't know football people, and he took advantage of that, and I give him credit for that."

I agree with Dublin that it isn't surprising but this coaching agent had an axe to grind with McCaskey and Armstrong.

Ted Phillips... the gift that keeps on giving

 

[MKEagle]

I know one way that could fix this constant cycle of misery....

 

[Fbolt]

You saw it happen when Wrigley sold the Cubs.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Are NFL teams letting agents impact coach hiring? Why the league cares

The struggling Bears are among the teams with a pattern of hiring people with the same agent. The NFL has concerns about the implications.

www.espn.com

Here is the link to said article. This is very very well done.

Trace Armstrong played for the Bears for six years. Seems to make total sense they'd be stupid enough to keep dealing with him.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

You saw it happen when Wrigley sold the Cubs.

I think you meant the Tribune.

Wrigley sold to the Tribune. The Tribune sold to the Ricketts. They hired Theo, won a World Series.

Bill Wirtz died in September 2007. By the 2009-10 The Blackhawks won a Stanley Cup and would win 3 in five years.

So, yeah, we have to wait for Virginia and Jerry to die so we can see winning teams it seems. Thank you, Michael Jordan.

 

[Fbolt]

I think you meant the Tribune.

Wrigley sold to the Tribune. The Tribune sold to the Ricketts. They hired Theo, won a World Series.

Bill Wirtz died in September 2007. By the 2009-10 The Blackhawks won a Stanley Cup and would win 3 in five years.

This is the solution!

 

[pumpdog20]

 

[IHateMarkMay]

4,000 yard season for Williams incoming!

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Dynamite hire, as long as he stops calling WR passes down by 10 in divisional round matchups 😂

Kidding. Seriously, Bears won the coaching lottery, IMO.

 

[Dale]

So the Bears kinda only wanted to interview Freeman cause he’s black?


I’m insulted for him

 

[MKEagle]

He already landed at Chicago Executive (assuming he was flying from Pontiac, MI)... interesting how this was all wrapped up behind the scenes before he could even do a 2nd interview

 

[rtrn2glory]

They got their guy.

So he'll be unemployed in 2-3 years. That's the typical route the organization takes

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Hey Eddie George thanks but we’re good.

 

[Bantry19]

So the Bears kinda only wanted to interview Freeman cause he’s black?


I’m insulted for him

Yes, the franchise with a black President and black GM only wanted to interview Freeman because he’s black. Think you nailed it.

 

[Dale]

Yes, the franchise with a black President and black GM only wanted to interview Freeman because he’s black. Think you nailed it.

Was just a joke about the Rooney Rule as referenced prior bud

Enjoy the hire

 

[NDRock]

Good luck Bears fans, hope he’s a good one for you.