NEWSLETTER
Ryan Poles will waste little time in getting to work as the Chicago Bears’ new general manager.
In addition to getting around to meeting folks around the office, Poles will get to cracking on find the Bears a new head coach. That journey is underway:
#Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is expected to have a 2nd interview with the #Bears (and a first with Ryan Poles) at Halas Hall on Wednesday.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) January 25, 2022
Yes. It will be Quinn's 1st interview with Poles – not the first for Poles.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) January 25, 2022
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports the new GM will meet with Dan Quinn on Wednesday. This will be the Cowboys defensive coordinator’s second interview with the Bears, but his first with Poles. Meanwhile, Biggs clarifies that Poles has reportedly already put the ball in motion by interviewing Jim Caldwell. Two interviews in two days. That’s aggressive. And notable. Gotta love that go-get-’em attitude from the new guy.
In addition to orchestrating a top-tier Cowboys defense, Quinn has prior head coaching experience with the Falcons. He also was the architect of the Seahawks defense that was led by the Legion of Boom. Yeah, blowing a 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl weighs heavily in the conversation whenever Quinn comes up. But the 51-year-old Dallas DC has credentials.
Then again, Caldwell has credentials, too. The two-time head coach has been out of the game for two years, but has winning stops with the Colts and Lions. Say what you want about Caldwell, but having a winning record while coaching in Detroit is a feat that – on its own – is impressive as heck. ESPN’s Adam Schefter suggests the Bears could pair Poles, 36, and Caldwell, 67, as a tandem in Chicago. The idea of teaming an old-head at head coach with a newcomer GM is a sensible one. That kind of plan could work. But I feel as if that first coach hire would ideally be someone you envision being with the team for 10+ years. And with all due respect for Caldwell, I can’t help but wonder if that is possible for a coach who sat out from coaching the last two years due to health issues.
Maybe this is too off the wall, but maybe a Quinn-Caldwell team could work? Quinn has the reputation of someone who can put together a strong coaching staff. And giving Caldwell an opportunity to work with quarterback Justin Fields in could be something that blossoms. Poles just came into the picture today, and while it is clear he will make the head coach hire, it wouldn’t surprise me if Caldwell join the staff in some capacity. But we’ve got some time before we even sort through that possibility.
If you’re looking for more, check out our prior posts on both candidates:
