{"id":126228,"date":"2021-12-16T19:43:39","date_gmt":"2021-12-17T00:43:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=126228"},"modified":"2021-12-16T19:43:39","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T00:43:39","slug":"a-chicago-bears-wishlist-if-rumors-of-an-overhaul-are-true","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/12\/16\/a-chicago-bears-wishlist-if-rumors-of-an-overhaul-are-true\/","title":{"rendered":"A Chicago Bears Wishlist (if Rumors of an Overhaul are True)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Bears<\/a> have a tilt with the division-rival Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. It is presumed to be the last time either Matt Nagy<\/a> or Mike Zimmer will be roaming the sidelines for either team. That is if overhaul rumors are true. At least for the hosting Bears, the smoke rises well above the coaching fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reports from various sources have come out in recent weeks that the Bears have already begun preliminary information gathering. Head coaches were the topic but we have since gotten reports that team president Ted Phillips could shift roles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Phillips, an accountant by trade, would oversee the massive project to finalize the purchase and development of property in nearby suburban Arlington Park.<\/span><\/p>\n

If Overhaul Rumors are True, Here is Who the Chicago Bears Should Hire<\/span><\/h2>\n

Start at the Top<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Bears have the right idea in having a businessman running the operation. However, the businesses of football and finance, while intertwined, couldn\u2019t be more different; as Phillips has shown. 2020 marked the first year the organization saw a drop in year-to-year revenue, going from $477 million in 2019 to $370 million in 2020 thanks to the pandemic.<\/span><\/p>\n

With Philips out of the way, the Bears can bring in the \u201cfootball guys\u201d Philips and team chairman George McCaskey claimed Nagy and Ryan Pace were at their press conference to end last season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many teams have gone with former players in these roles with John Elway manning the station for the Denver Broncos while the Seattle Seahawks have Pete Carroll pulling double duty.<\/span><\/p>\n

Carroll is technically his boss\u2019 boss as general manager John Schneider reports to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

That reportedly led to some friction this past offseason after rumors surfaced that Carroll nixed a trade that would have sent Russell Wilson to the Bears; a decision that seemed wise at the time but with the Seahawks at 5-8 and last in their division, could be considered a misstep. If they opt to move Wilson this offseason it will be at somewhat of a discount.<\/span><\/p>\n

Someone like Joe Hortiz of the Baltimore Ravens would be a good fit.<\/span><\/p>\n

He has been neither player nor coach. But he has been in the thick of one of the most stable and well-run organizations for 20 years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whichever route the Bears take, that person has to better balance relationships with shrewdness. The Bears have far too often been heavy on the former and light on the latter for decades.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Coach Nagy is meeting with the media.@Hyundai<\/a> | #DaBears<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/PSUnso978z<\/a><\/p>\n

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 16, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n