Why Chicago Bears’ Head Coaching Job Is NFL’s Most Desirable Opening
Published by Bear Heiser on January 6, 2015
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Not everyday does a job open up with the Chicago Bears, especially one with the title of “head coach.”
Six NFL teams are looking for a new front man—Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears—but it’s the Bears who have the best opportunity to offer.
Despite coming off a 5-11 season where virtually everything that could go wrong actually went wrong, leading the NFL’s charter organization is a job that should be coveted by every football coach who’s trying to upgrade job titles.
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn should want the Bears job. Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase should want the Bears job. Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles should want the Bears job. Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub should want the Bears job.
According to Jeremy Stoltz of BearReport.com, Toub might very well be the next head coach.
There are many reasons the Bears job is the best one on the market. Here’s the short version that explains why: The Bills are still the Bills; The Jets are still the Jets, no matter how hard Jets fans want them to be the Giants (in terms of winning); The Raiders are still the Raiders; The 49ers still employ the same front office that couldn’t mesh with newly minted University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh; The Falcons are still owned by a man who stands on the sideline during games, lurking over everyone on the payroll.
While the 2014 Bears had a circus-like feel to them at times—all the time, actually—the powers that should have nipped the problems in the bud no longer have offices in Halas Hall.
That’s the short answer. For a longer, more-detailed answer, please continue:
The new HC will play a HUGE role in deciding Jay Cutler’s future in Chicago
As you know, the Bears are in need of both a new general manager and head coach. According to team chairman George McCaskey, the new regime will have the authority to decide whether he wants Jay Cutler to be his quarterback.
“The head coach and general manager have the discretion to decide who fits on this club, whether it’s quarterback or any other position,” McCaskey said.
BearReport.com cites a source who says Kansas City Chiefs director of player personnel Chris Ballard could be headed to Chicago:
Cutler is owed $16 million guaranteed in 2015. Making matters worse, when the calendar strikes March 13, 2015, $10 million of the $16 million he’s due in 2016 becomes guaranteed. The new general manager and head coach can keep Cutler, trade Cutler or even decide to release Cutler. If McCaskey’s words hold true, then all three options are on the table.
Keeping Cutler in Chicago for at least one more season makes the most sense from a financial perspective. For more on Cutler’s contract, here’s NFL Media’s Albert Breer:
Trading him is a great option if the Bears can find a suitor that doesn’t require anything else just to take on Cutler’s salary, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported last month the Tennessee Titans have “started doing their research” on Cutler in the event the Bears put the quarterback on the market. So there’s one trade option.
Releasing him will be tough on the salary cap but isn’t impossible to overcome.
Whatever happens to Cutler, the new head coach will have a big say in the decision because the general manager wouldn’t have hired said coach unless the two were in lockstep. If the new head coach doesn’t think he can work with Cutler, odds are he won’t be working with Cutler.
The No. 7 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft
Chicago hasn’t held a first-round pick as high as No. 7 since the 2005 season, when it selected Texas Longhorn running back Cedric Benson at No. 5 overall. The Bears have meddled in mediocrity in the years between then and now, which led to first-round picks on the wrong end of the top-20 picks.
Aside from first-round picks like right guard Kyle Long and cornerback Kyle Fuller, the Bears haven’t had much luck with first-rounders. This year’s draft presents a chance to bring in talent that has a higher likelihood of making an immediate impact.
The Bears could select a new quarterback, possibly a Jameis Winston out of Florida State or maybe even a pass-rushing defensive end like Shane Ray out of Missouri.
Barring a total disaster, the Bears should be able to find an impact player at No. 7.
Two-time Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long
Former University of Oregon product Kyle Long has been exceeding expectations since the day he entered the league two years ago.
Thought by some to be a reach at No. 20 overall in the 2013 draft, Long has been named to the Pro Bowl in consecutive seasons and was recently named a second-team All-Pro at right guard.
Long has a bright future in Chicago, both on the field and off. It’s just not yet known where his future will be on the offensive line. Will he continue to play right guard or will the new head coach see Long as a better fit at left tackle?
The Bears paid big money to Jermon Bushrod two seasons ago to play left tackle, but Long is hands down the best lineman on the team. While it’s unknown if he can play left tackle, you’d think, based on everything he’s shown to date, that he could handle protecting the quarterback’s blind side.
Finding a cornerstone left tackle is not an easy thing to do in this league. The new head coach has to know moving Long is a very viable option.
Close to $28 million to spend in free agency
There only are a handful of teams who have more salary cap space than the Bears.
With $62.3 million committed to the offensive side of the ball and $44.2 million committed to defense, the Bears are left with roughly $28 million to spend during the offseason. More money could be made available, too, depending on how the contracts of Cutler and defensive end Jared Allen are handled.
The Bears’ depth chart holds a lot of question marks. Who starts at linebacker next season aside from Jon Bostic? Who will start at free safety after Chris Conte officially leaves? Who replaces Charles “Peanut” Tillman at cornerback? Who plays quarterback if Cutler is jettisoned? Who fills the slot receiver role?
With as many questions as answers, the new general manager and new head coach will be able to shape the foundation of one of the NFL’s most proud organizations, and they’ll have money to spend.
The City of Chicago
Chicago might just be the best sports town in the country, and it’s home to the NFL’s charter franchise. George Halas once coached the Bears. Mike Ditka once coached the Bears. Reviving this team into a Super Bowl winner isn’t that out of the question for the new regime.
Winning a Super Bowl in Chicago would enshrine those involved in the hearts and minds of Chicago sports fans for all of eternity. Just ask those who played for and coached the 1985 Super Bowl-winning Bears; they haven’t had to pay for a drink in Chicago in nearly 30 years.
All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Salary information provided by OvertheCap.com.
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