The Chicago Bears are continuing to search for a new head coach. They’ve already interviewed several candidates and have even more lined up. It felt like only a matter of time before the first domino fell across the league. Sure enough, it came in New England, where the Patriots reached an agreement with Mike Vrabel to become their next coach. It was by far the least shocking development of the season. Vrabel won three Super Bowls in New England as a linebacker. He’s had success coaching in Tennessee. It was a natural fit.
It will inevitably impact the Bears beyond just taking a prominent name off the board. This development removes what was arguably the biggest threat to Chicago for the services of Ben Johnson. Many believe if the Patriots hadn’t gone with Vrabel, they would’ve been the favorites to land the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator. With them out of the picture, only Las Vegas and Jacksonville remain as threats. The Raiders have no quarterback, and the Jaguars refuse to fire embattled GM Trent Baalke.
The Chicago Bears remain in a good spot.
There is no reason to panic about Vrabel’s move to the Patriots. Everybody saw it coming. Widespread belief is the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets will battle it out for Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Neither have interviews lined up with Johnson. The Chicago Bears have no reason to alter their process. If anything, they can exhale a little bit. They have several options left on the table worth considering. Johnson is one. Pete Carroll could be a good emergency possibility. Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is gaining a ton of steam. Mike McCarthy still hasn’t signed an extension in Dallas. Unless they become completely sidetracked by an unexpected name in the next one or two weeks, they should come away with somebody the fans can get on board with.
@ Irishman, I guess we all speak opinions but you speak from the pov of knowing the absolute truth. I said 500 but he was 9 over in 6 years, is that really that egregious? So since you know and I’m completely ignorant, tell me how it went from 12-5 to 6-11 and 7-10 before being fired? I thought he was such a great motivator and leader of men? Truth be told, I’m not a hater of Vrable, I just prefer something else to a guy we know plenty about. Sorry, you may be impressed by him, I won’t hold… Read more »
Such cynical perspectives from the uneducated masses of fans. Let’s call it Sports Mockery for Skeptics without Portfolio.
Hey Pooch, maybe we shouldn’t obsess so much on being able to fly when we don’t know how to walk yet.
For people bashing Vrabel, you have no idea what your talking about. Theres a reason he was the #1 coach in this process and that includes your precious BJ who also interviewed with the Patriots and they still went with Vrabel. Listen to interviews with his ex players including a couple from the Bears (Walker and Byaard) how glowingly they praised him. Understand the situation he was in with Tenn before spouting off he had a .500 record (which actually he had a winning record). Too bad his ties were deep with the Patriots because hes exactly who the Bears… Read more »
@jmscooby I understand the concept that “execution beats talent.” I have a very different understanding of people, organizations, teams. In the medical profession, everyone has an MD following their name. So whether someone is a primary care, emergency, or neurosurgeon, execution beats talent. However, primary execution does not mean that there is no execution in neurosurgery. I expect execution in all things. If there isn’t execution in all things, it is coaching. Talented players, cannot be expected to execute without coaching. Simple coaching, simple execution, is easier and faster, but not “better” than coaching complex systems and complex execution (otherwise… Read more »