Long-time NFL reporter John Clayton believes there will be as many as eight NFL head-coach openings this offseason.
More importantly, Clayton projects the Chicago Bears’ gig to be one of them. Because while Clayton hedges that Head Coach Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace could stave off dismissal at year’s end, a five-game losing streak that has dropped Chicago to below .500 “has made things tense.” And even though I feel as if “tense” is putting it lightly, there is no doubt that hot seats are warming after Sunday’s performance.
It’s easy to embrace the idea of cleaning house for many. But for some, the idea of battling seven other teams for top coaching candidates might make folks apprehensive. Some might even want to kick the can down the road to next offseason. But maybe things aren’t as bleak as one might otherwise think. Of the eight projected job openings, Clayton lists only the the Chargers, Broncos, and Falcons ahead of the Bears. That would make the Bears the fourth-most attractive job on the market. It might not seem like much, but edging out the Texans, Jaguars, Jets, and division-rival Lions means something.
In search of pros in opening a coaching search in a crowded field? Look no further than Chicago’s defense, which Clayton cites as a strength and potential selling point. Despite Nagy’s recent call-out, it’s a talented group that isn’t losing any key cogs to free agency. Sure, they could make someone like Kyle Fuller or Akiem Hicks available in a trade in an attempt to clear cap space. But that’s a post for another time.
On the other hand, the offense is one of the league’s worst and the quarterback position needs to be solved.
Perhaps rebuilding the offense can be a selling point to a forward-thinking coach with a progressive mindset and a like-minded GM. The offense might as well be a blank canvas for which new leadership can build from upon arrival. And with the power of choosing the next quarterback being on the table, then maybe this job is more attractive than other positions. The challenge of building a modern offense while being backed by a top-tier defense should be appealing to any number of candidates.
And yet, we’re still a ways away from getting to that point. The Bears still have five games to go and upper management hasn’t provided an inkling that it would jettison Pace or Nagy in season. Then again, there’s been plenty of smoke in recent weeks. So much, in fact, we can’t look past it any more.