The Chicago Bears once again looked completely overmatched on Monday night in Minnesota. The game was never really close. One team looked ready for the playoffs and the other looked checked out. It was so obvious how many flaws this organization has from top to bottom. Firing Matt Eberflus as head coach was necessary, but it probably shouldn’t be the full extent of the changes made. GM Ryan Poles is coming under heavy fire for the state of the roster, which isn’t all that surprising. Many wonder if he’s the next one gone. Until then, we can only wonder what’s next at head coach. Adam Schefter of ESPN had new details.
It is apparent Thomas Brown won’t keep the job after this season. That isn’t a reflection of him. He got handed a crap sandwich and was told to make a meal out of it. Impossible. This team badly needs a fresh start. Schefter revealed on Monday Night Countdown that the Bears have a clear direction in mind. While they plan to interview multiple types of candidates, they seem fully committed to focusing the next coach on the development of quarterback Caleb Williams.
For weeks, it was hinted that the Bears would likely seek out the best possible offensive mind on the market. This update reinforces everything. People can talk about having the tough-minded leader of men all they want. If Chicago can’t maximize Caleb Williams, it will all be for naught. Here’s an important stat to remember. If you exclude Bill Belichick, who had Tom Brady, the last seven Super Bowls were all won by offensive head coaches. The last non-Belichick defensive coaches to win the big game were John Harbaugh and Pete Carroll in 2012 and 2013. At the moment, three of the top four seeds in the playoffs are run by offensive head coaches.
Like it or not, there is a reason the NFL has trended in this direction for years. The formula works. If you can maximize your quarterback, the chances of winning go up significantly. Adam Schefter reporting this is good news for the Bears. It means they at least have some common sense in this regard. The hard part is finding an offensive coach who can also command a locker room and make strong in-game decisions. We’re about to find out if they’ve learned anything from their past mistakes.
