The Chicago Bears are about to embark on their fifth head coaching search since 2013. That should give you an idea of how bad things have been over the past decade. It certainly explains why they have only one winning season in that span. Failing to find the right head coach is even worse than failing to find a good quarterback. Poorly coached teams lose a lot more than poorly-quarterbacked ones. Lovie Smith proved that for years. Since he left, the Bears haven’t been able to find the right guy for their organization.
Things bottomed out under Matt Eberflus. Chicago went 14-32 under his watch, including 5-19 in one-score games. His choke job in Detroit was the final straw. The Bears fired a coach midseason for the first time in their history. No, fans are left wondering if the organization can finally get it right this time. Already the familiar buzzwords are showing up about their upcoming search. They want a “leader of men” and a “culture builder.” The problem is this is precisely the same approach they had in 2022.
However, that may not be entirely true. Bears fans may have become familiar recently with a Twitter handle called SearSTower. Over the past couple of weeks, it has delivered shockingly accurate inside information. It correctly stated Daniel Jones would sign in Minnesota before anybody else and also indicated that Eberflus was likely to get fired after the Lions game. It also provided an update on the Bears’ looming coaching search. Screw culture. It’s not about that anymore. This organization wants a winner.
They’re not focused on how it happens. It doesn’t matter if it’s done with suffocating defense or high-flying offense. Whatever it takes. Winning is the only goal. If nothing else, that is a breath of fresh air from a franchise that seemed stuck in its ways. Maybe this is the first indication they’ll move away from the archetype of coach that has plagued them for most of the past decade. Marc Trestman, John Fox, and Eberflus are perfect examples: set ways of doing things, hoaky sayings, and bland personalities. None of them exhibited what you’d call an air of charisma.
By the sound of it, the top brass is focused on exactly that this time. They want an alpha in the room—somebody who is prepared to do anything and everything to win a game. Finding that person will be challenging. Perhaps this leans further into the idea that the Chicago Bears will eye someone with previous head coaching experience. That would align with team president Kevin Warren’s track record from his previous NFL stops.
Quarterback Caleb Williams is expected to have a strong voice in the process since his success is tantamount to the Bears’ future. It will be interesting to see who makes the list of finalists.
