GM Ryan Poles was asked point blank if the Chicago Bears might consider trading for a head coach if they feel a true difference-maker is available. He didn’t flinch, confirming that the team would explore all avenues to get that hire right. It seems he wasn’t lying. A source informed SM that the Bears have reached out to three teams about the possible availability of their head coaches. One was Zac Taylor in Cincinnati, another was Mike McDaniel in Miami, and the last was Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland.
All three make sense. Rumors have persisted each coach is on shaky ground with their respective teams. Still, all three have proven offensive backgrounds. Taylor helped develop Joe Burrow, and the two reached a Super Bowl in 2021. McDaniel elevated the career of Tua Tagovailoa and got the Dolphins to the playoffs last season. Stefanski made the playoffs twice with the Browns with two different quarterbacks. He also has direct ties to team president Kevin Warren. The interest is easy to understand.
The Chicago Bears lose nothing by placing these calls.
If they get told no, it isn’t a big deal. Move on to the next options. However, if they get a team willing to listen, that opens up a path to a proven head coach. Trading for coaches has resulted in considerable success over the past 30 years. Bill Parcells, Sean Payton, and Bruce Arians all led teams to the playoffs. Arians, Jon Gruden, and Bill Belichick won Super Bowls. This method has worked several times in the past. It makes sense for the Chicago Bears to explore it. Based on recent updates, it doesn’t sound like any of the coaches will be available. Maybe that changes, but the simple effort of reaching out proves the organization is serious about getting the best possible man for the job.
@Dr. Melhus Comp picks are the reason Green Bay and others always seem to have about 12 guys in every 7 round draft class. Draft them, develop them, and then let them move on and replace with someone younger and cheaper. That’s the most direct path to being consistently good and never suffering through a rebuild when the whole team is older than dirt.
I think a couple of guys here need by spiritual advice on sexuality.
@JFKwasAFK: Woot. Hope he gets it. Bears could use a pair of 3rd round comp picks. Remember that the best comp pick you can get is a 3rd, so if your disgruntled 1st rounder walks in FA, AND you don’t have an otherwise net gain of players in FA, then you get one 3rd. If Cunningham gets hired by another team, the Bears get two 3rds, one this year, one next year. Big bonus. As a draft insider, I know this, ….
While we are waiting on Eric, I’ll update the fan base here and let everyone know that Tennessee has requested an interview with Ian Cunningham.
@Tred Wiser words have never been written on this website. I support your comment unequivocally.