NEWSLETTER
A year ago at this time, we were beginning to put eyes on lists that had head coach candidates who could ultimately replace Matt Nagy at season’s end.
One year later, we’re looking at those same lists and hoping one of the assistants on Matt Eberflus’ staff isn’t scooped up by a team looking for coaching help of their own.
Chicago Bears Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy makes NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero’s list of young coaches on the rise who could be head coaches in the years to come.
Here’s what Pelissero had to say about Getsy, who is clearly making waves just as Justin Fields’ stock is shooting through the roof:
A productive college quarterback at Akron who went to camp with the 49ers in 2007 before going into coaching, Getsy formed a close relationship as a young Packers assistant with Aaron Rodgers, who later campaigned to bring back Getsy as quarterbacks coach in 2019. Getsy is now in his first year on Matt Eberflus’ staff in Chicago, overseeing a breakout season for young QB Justin Fields. The Bears have found ways to be productive in spite of their personnel shortcomings amidst a rebuild, and just as important, they’re building a culture on offense. The Broncos interviewed Getsy last year and came away impressed.
As for the rest of the list, you’ll want to read Pelissero’s story in its entirety to get a fuller grasp on what could be coming down the pipeline:
Pelissero’s list has this specific criterion: Coaches who are 45 and younger and looking for their first-head coaching gig. Last year’s list featured Nathaniel Hackett (now coaching the Broncos) and Kevin O’Connell (now leading the Vikings). Then 49ers Offensive Coordinator (now Dolphins Head Coach) Mike McDaniel was on the “others to watch” list. Additionally, Eberflus and Brian Daboll would’ve made last year’s list had it not been for the age requirement. All in all, this is a list all fans should be browsing through to see who’s hot to trot.
On the one hand, the Bears should be flattered their offensive coordinator is getting consideration as a future head coach. That bodes well for how the league views Fields’ ongoing development. And it also speaks well for the process Eberflus and GM Ryan Poles went through to hire Getsy. But on the other hand, the Bears are finally operating an offense that plays to the strengths of the QB. Getsy is tailoring the offense to Fields and the talent currently on the roster. This is what we’ve been wanting forever. And I’m not ready to lose that just yet.
Maybe the interest now won’t pay off in a head coaching gig just yet. Don’t get me wrong. I want Eberflus to hire staffers who are so good that they get future head coach consideration. That would mean so many good things are happening with the Bears. But part of me is selfish and wants all the good coaches coaching this team moving forward.
If it is any consolation, Getsy isn’t the only Bears assistant garnering positive attention. Pelissero’s list of coaches to watch in the future includes Special Teams Coordinator Richard Hightower and Quarterbacks Coach Andrew Janocko. For what it’s worth, Janocko would likely be a top candidate to replace Getsy if he left for a head-coaching position. But that is a different discussion for a different date. However, that date might be coming up sooner than we might want.
