For several years the Chicago Bears seem to have lost their sense of identity. Like they’ve forgotten who they’re supposed to be. Some believe a big reason for that is their unwillingness to employ more Bears alumni. George Halas was famous for it in his day. When he died in 1983, the organization employed Mike Ditka as head coach and Jim Dooley as one of their top scouts. Ditka was a tight end for the franchise in the 1960s and Dooley was a half back during the same era.
What makes it even more baffling is the McCaskeys have seen this success carry over into their own time as owners as well. Ron Rivera, a former linebacker for Chicago in the ’80s, became a great defensive coordinator during the mid-2000s for them. Dwayne Joseph, one of their former defensive backs from the 1990s, returned to help run their pro scouting department. He was a big part of their excellent free agent class of 2013 that featured Martellus Bennett, Jermon Bushrod, and Matt Slauson.
This is what makes the absence of ex-players in the organization so baffling.
As of today only one member of the entire front office or coaching staff actually wore a Bears uniform at one point as a player. That was Henry Burris, an offensive quality control coach. This is likely a big reason why some former players have begun calling on ownership to instill changes. Guys like Olin Kreutz, Jerry Azumah, and Charles Tillman among others took up the cry over the past week. A cry that might have been heard, at least according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
“Ross has long coveted Harbaugh and, at this stage of his life with a succession plan for ownership already in place, passing on Harbaugh might be difficult. Harbaugh also played for the Bears and is well known at Halas Hall, with that franchise pondering sweeping changes and considering a multitude of former players for a multitude of roles.”
If nothing else, this is encouraging if proven true. There is no downside to bringing in more smart people that have a clear loyalty to the franchise. People that want to see it succeed. Tillman even said he’s been taking notes on the problems he continues to see. He’d be ready from day one to help tackle them. It would also add a unique set of voices that the Chicago Bears don’t have enough of. Voices that actually played in the NFL at a high level.
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