A lot of people aren’t buying into the idea of firing Chicago Bears head coach John Fox after the 2017 season. Part of why isn’t because they feel he’s the best man for the job. Their fears lay with the situation faced by rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky. It’s felt that drafting him basically locked Fox in for the next couple years. Why? Nothing is more important to the development of a young quarterback than continuity.
That’s a popular NFL saying. It’s also a complete myth. Truth be told three things end up making great quarterbacks: their own talent, the talent around them and the quality of coaching they get. There have been a number of players throughout the past decades who saw their head coaches fired after just one season.
One would think they became disasters right? Not so much. In fact there are plenty of examples that show the opposite is true. Quarterbacks who saw their coaches dumped after one year and the replacements helping them to great success.
Jared Goff
- 2016: Jeff Fisher
- 2017: Sean McVay
Aaron Rodgers
- 2005: Mike Sherman
- 2006: Mike McCarthy
Drew Brees
- 2001: Mike Riley
- 2002: Marty Schottenheimer
Brett Favre
- 1991: Jerry Glanville
- 1992: Mike Holmgren
Jim Kelly
- 1986: Hank Bullough
- 1987: Marv Levy
Goff is the most recent example given he has the Los Angeles Rams battling for home field advantage after what was deemed a disastrous rookie year. Favre was literally traded after one year from his original team (the Falcons) to Green Bay. One could say things turned out pretty well for him after that.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
The key was all about putting those quarterbacks under coaches who knew how to manage the position. McVay, McCarthy and Holmgren were all offensive specialists. Schottenheimer had a proven track record from his time in Cleveland and Kansas City. Levy had won three Grey Cups in Canada, an offensively-driven league.
The point being that Fox is nearing his point of no return. As Trubisky continues to struggle, one of two things will save his job. Either he must convince ownership he can find an upgrade over offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains or he must pray the defense and running game can get the Bears to the playoffs.
