It was a familiar, rotten feeling on Sunday night. Another game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. Another convincing victory for the green and gold. Aaron Rodgers pushed his record against Chicago to 23-5. A level of domination that somehow surpasses what Brett Favre did during his Hall of Fame career. The only question left to ask at this point is how. How did it get to be this bad?
The simple answer is the Bears haven’t had the right people in charge. The McCaskey family has owned the franchise since 1983. After enjoying a great run over the Packers in that decade, things took a sharp turn in the early 1990s. Most will say it was because of Favre’s arrival, but that is too simplistic. The reality is the Packers organization vastly improved from top to bottom. Especially in the front office and coaching departments.
This brings about the question from the title of this article.
Why did the Bears not bother to consider poaching from Green Bay over the past 30 years? It makes plenty of sense. If an organization routinely dominates you year after year, then steal somebody from there that understands the blueprint of how to build a winner. It isn’t like the McCaskeys have lacked opportunities. Since 1999, they have hired three different general managers and five different head coaches. Ample opportunities to steal from the Packers.
All one has to do is look at some of the names that have come out of their system. Especially in the front office. The Raiders hired Reggie McKenzie in 2012. He ended up producing their only winning team of the past decade including both of their best draft picks in Derek Carr and Khalil Mack. John Schneider landed in Seattle where he built the Seahawks into a Super Bowl champion in 2013. John Dorsey built the foundation of Kansas City’s great roster that won the title in 2019 and also helped Cleveland become a playoff contender too.
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Maybe it’s time for the Chicago Bears to poach their rivals
All signs point to a shakeup in their power structure this coming offseason. Most believe head coach Matt Nagy is out and GM Ryan Pace might go with him. Presuming this happens, the team will have yet another opportunity to steal from the Packers. Not only weakening their own power structure but also (hopefully) acquiring the blueprint on how to build and maintain a competitive roster.
Nathaniel Hackett, their offensive coordinator, is a favorite in the building and someone who is widely respected around the NFL. He’s known for his outstanding game-planning and ability to connect with his players. On the front office question? Jon-Eric Sullivan is one of their Co-directors of player personnel and is considered the right-hand man of GM Brian Gutekunst. Director of college scouting Matt Malaspina has played a big role in their recent resurgence too. He also had a direct hand in building those great San Francisco 49ers teams from 2011 to 2013.
There are capable options up there.
If George McCaskey is so anxious to finally overtake the Packers, maybe it’s time to put his pride aside and do the smart thing. Find some of the best people inside that Green Bay organization and bring them to work for the Chicago Bears. He’s tried everything else at this point.
