***Chicago Bears Thread*** Ben Johnson hired. The Resurrection Begins! (5 Viewers)

[travdogg]

I think Monken is probably my favorite candidate. I mean, there's Ben Johnson too, but he'll have his pick. I think the Bears would be making a huge mistake not hiring an offensive guy.

I don't love Vrabel (more indifference than dislike) and have negative interest in Flores (who I don't think is a head coach at all) and Carroll.

I think its probably too soon for Joe Brady to be a HC.

Out of curiosity, what makes you high on Monken? I don't love his body of experience, especially at HC. His only real success has been as OC at Georgia and 23/24 with the Ravens. At 58, you'd think someone who has HC aspirations at the NFL level would have had more interest.

You're not necessarily wrong, but groupthink is strong in NFL coaching searches. Most teams interview the same candidates, and the usual candidates get recycled over the span of a few years.

Likewise, the reality is that most first-time coach hires fail, so it's hard to say there's an exact science to this anyways.

Don't know a ton about Monken, but I'll say this.... Lamar has never looked better than he has playing for him.

I would give Monken a fair amount of credit for turning Lamar from a great QB to an elite one. His completion %, YPA, TD/INT ratio and passer rating have all improved a lot since Monken got there.

I also thought Monken was a very good OC in Tampa Bay in 2017-2018. Tampa had a top-5 offense over those years, despite having Winston/Fitzpatrick at QB, and their top RB being Peyton Barber. Wasn't Monken's fault they had a bottom-5 defense. He got canned because Arians came in and called his own plays. Then he went to the Browns, and well, I can't hold much against him there. But he ran a very different offense, one that was built around Chubb and the run game, so he's shown an adaptability with personnel, running TB through Evans, Cleveland through Chubb, and now the Ravens through Lamar and Henry.

He also took Georgia from a good offense to an elite offense. He did so with Stetson Bennett (not an NFL caliber QB in my opinion) and in the NCAAs toughest conference, being a key part of a team that won back-to-back national titles.

Even his HC experience (Southern Miss 2013-2015) was pretty decent. He took over a team that had just gone 0-12, and by year 3 had them going 9-5 and playing in a bowl game. They haven't won 9 games in a season since he left. Monken's offense was pretty solid there too, getting some big numbers out of guys who got drafted but mostly didn't end up being NFL caliber players, like (the other) Mike Thomas, Jalen Richard, and Ito Smith. Nick Mullens broke most of Brett Favre's records under Monken.

 

[flapgreen]

Another royal **** up from the Bears passing on Harbaugh and keeping their "leader of men" coach that they end up firing halfway through the season. Add in the ultimate beta male in Poles and you have a couple of butt chuggers who are destined for eternal failure. This organization will never be successful until the entire McCaskey family is 6 feet under. Losers

Welcome back Flap. Same **** show as always.

Never changes, sir. They're already fumbling the ****ing football on the new hire.

 

[flapgreen]

I think Monken is probably my favorite candidate. I mean, there's Ben Johnson too, but he'll have his pick. I think the Bears would be making a huge mistake not hiring an offensive guy.

I don't love Vrabel (more indifference than dislike) and have negative interest in Flores (who I don't think is a head coach at all) and Carroll.

I think its probably too soon for Joe Brady to be a HC.

Out of curiosity, what makes you high on Monken? I don't love his body of experience, especially at HC. His only real success has been as OC at Georgia and 23/24 with the Ravens. At 58, you'd think someone who has HC aspirations at the NFL level would have had more interest.

You're not necessarily wrong, but groupthink is strong in NFL coaching searches. Most teams interview the same candidates, and the usual candidates get recycled over the span of a few years.

Likewise, the reality is that most first-time coach hires fail, so it's hard to say there's an exact science to this anyways.

Don't know a ton about Monken, but I'll say this.... Lamar has never looked better than he has playing for him.

I would give Monken a fair amount of credit for turning Lamar from a great QB to an elite one. His completion %, YPA, TD/INT ratio and passer rating have all improved a lot since Monken got there.

I also thought Monken was a very good OC in Tampa Bay in 2017-2018. Tampa had a top-5 offense over those years, despite having Winston/Fitzpatrick at QB, and their top RB being Peyton Barber. Wasn't Monken's fault they had a bottom-5 defense. He got canned because Arians came in and called his own plays. Then he went to the Browns, and well, I can't hold much against him there. But he ran a very different offense, one that was built around Chubb and the run game, so he's shown an adaptability with personnel, running TB through Evans, Cleveland through Chubb, and now the Ravens through Lamar and Henry.

He also took Georgia from a good offense to an elite offense. He did so with Stetson Bennett (not an NFL caliber QB in my opinion) and in the NCAAs toughest conference, being a key part of a team that won back-to-back national titles.

Even his HC experience (Southern Miss 2013-2015) was pretty decent. He took over a team that had just gone 0-12, and by year 3 had them going 9-5 and playing in a bowl game. They haven't won 9 games in a season since he left. Monken's offense was pretty solid there too, getting some big numbers out of guys who got drafted but mostly didn't end up being NFL caliber players, like (the other) Mike Thomas, Jalen Richard, and Ito Smith. Nick Mullens broke most of Brett Favre's records under Monken.

Lamar has looked amazing. This is great analysis and I agree.

 

[FairWarning]

Another royal **** up from the Bears passing on Harbaugh and keeping their "leader of men" coach that they end up firing halfway through the season. Add in the ultimate beta male in Poles and you have a couple of butt chuggers who are destined for eternal failure. This organization will never be successful until the entire McCaskey family is 6 feet under. Losers

Welcome back Flap. Same **** show as always.

Never changes, sir. They're already fumbling the ****ing football on the new hire.

They excel at incompetence

 

[calcinorjones]

Vrabel to Patriots close to being a done deal. Going back to where he had success as a player and I believe he is in Patriots HOF. Quoted - "this is a special place with great leadership, great fans, great direction, and great coaching. ... It's not like this everywhere."

Update on Vrabel to Patriots

 

[fatness]

Mike Vrabel agrees to become Patriots' new coach, sources say

 

[Sunday Gravy]

Mike Vrabel agrees to become Patriots' new coach, sources say

Was pretty obvious it would happen but I held a sliver of hope. Moving on to Johnson or Monken.

 

[calcinorjones]

Bears now interested is interviewing Marcus Freeman per NFL Network

 

[IHEARTFF]

Bears now interested is interviewing Marcus Freeman per NFL Network

This is an interesting choice

 

[Jacob's Ladder]

Mike Vrabel agrees to become Patriots' new coach, sources say

Was pretty obvious it would happen but I held a sliver of hope. Moving on to Johnson or Monken.

No thanks on any coordinator that chooses to sit in the booth.

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

I find it hard to believe that the Raiders would be a better landing spot than Chicago for Johnson. Their front office is at least as disfunctional and they have zero plan at QB (so far). You have to expect the top 2 QBs to be gone by pick 3. Even if they trade up, the top 2 QBs are nowhere near the potential they could have had last year. QB free agents basically start and end with Darnold if, for some reason, MIN doesn't resign him. Otherwise, it's a murderer's row of Fields/Mac Jones/Jameis/Z Wilson. Yuck.

 

[DocHolliday]

I find it hard to believe that the Raiders would be a better landing spot than Chicago for Johnson. Their front office is at least as disfunctional and they have zero plan at QB (so far). You have to expect the top 2 QBs to be gone by pick 3. Even if they trade up, the top 2 QBs are nowhere near the potential they could have had last year. QB free agents basically start and end with Darnold if, for some reason, MIN doesn't resign him. Otherwise, it's a murderer's row of Fields/Mac Jones/Jameis/Z Wilson. Yuck.

Johnson isn’t dumb. He’s not going to LV. Chicago has a young, good QB and is a much better option.

 

[BeTheMatch]

Interviewing Ron Rivera? Maybe just contract the franchise.

 

[Sunday Gravy]

Sounds like Mike McCarthy is going to be available. I wouldn't hate that at all.

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

Sounds like Mike McCarthy is going to be available. I wouldn't hate that at all.

He'd have to wow me with his Caleb plan, OC hire, and cede play calling to his OC. His offensive numbers over the past few years have been solid despite his very tired scheme.

 

[Sunday Gravy]

Sounds like Mike McCarthy is going to be available. I wouldn't hate that at all.

He'd have to wow me with his Caleb plan, OC hire, and cede play calling to his OC. His offensive numbers over the past few years have been solid despite his very tired scheme.

Live in the Dallas area and his situation has been brutal. I think our dysfunction would actually be a welcome change for him. And I think we're so desperate for a coach that has coached in and won big games. And Caleb is way more talented than Dak.

I'm just so skeptical of these first time hires.

 

[BearsFan4Life]

Sounds like Mike McCarthy is going to be available. I wouldn't hate that at all.

He'd have to wow me with his Caleb plan, OC hire, and cede play calling to his OC. His offensive numbers over the past few years have been solid despite his very tired scheme.

Live in the Dallas area and his situation has been brutal. I think our dysfunction would actually be a welcome change for him. And I think we're so desperate for a coach that has coached in and won big games. And Caleb is way more talented than Dak.

I'm just so skeptical of these first time hires.

I love to see McCarthy for this reason alone. Need someone that knows how to win and his been a head coach before.

 

[Max Power]

McCarthy would be a solid B hire for me. I think he raises the floor, but he had average results in the playoffs.

I definitely believe he is a good hire to get the Bears out of the basement. Skeptical he's the guy to bring home championships.

I'd still prefer Johnson.

 

[Chreesto]

Internet chatter certainly seems to be shifting towards "Ben Johnson to the Raiders, Mike McCarthy to the Bears". As a longtime hater of Mike McCarthy, this is close to a worst-case scenario for me. I would prefer Pete Carroll I think. Please, someone, talk me off of the ledge here. How is McCarthy not an offensive version of John Fox? I have not loved the offense in Dallas and I don't know that McCarthy has the personality to develop Caleb. I think I would prefer Liam Coen or Joe Brady even.

 

[Snotbubbles]

Internet chatter certainly seems to be shifting towards "Ben Johnson to the Raiders, Mike McCarthy to the Bears". As a longtime hater of Mike McCarthy, this is close to a worst-case scenario for me. I would prefer Pete Carroll I think. Please, someone, talk me off of the ledge here. How is McCarthy not an offensive version of John Fox? I have not loved the offense in Dallas and I don't know that McCarthy has the personality to develop Caleb. I think I would prefer Liam Coen or Joe Brady even.

Dallas offensive ranks under McCarthy

2020: 17th points, 14th yards (Prescott played 5 games, Andy Dalton 9 games, Garrett Gilbert 1 game, Ben DiNucci 1 game)
2021: 1st points, 1st yards
2022: 4th points, 11th yards (Prescott played 12 games, Cooper Rush 5 games)
2023: 1st points, 5th yards
2024: 21st points, 17th yards (Prescott played 8 games, Cooper Rush 8 games, Trey Lance 1 game)

What's not to like about that? Honestly, the Cowboys 2024 #21 scoring offense would be the third highest scoring Bears team in the last decade.

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

Internet chatter certainly seems to be shifting towards "Ben Johnson to the Raiders, Mike McCarthy to the Bears". As a longtime hater of Mike McCarthy, this is close to a worst-case scenario for me. I would prefer Pete Carroll I think. Please, someone, talk me off of the ledge here. How is McCarthy not an offensive version of John Fox? I have not loved the offense in Dallas and I don't know that McCarthy has the personality to develop Caleb. I think I would prefer Liam Coen or Joe Brady even.

Check out the last few pages of the Mike McCarthy thread, particularly @Chaka post toward the bottom of page 14. Dude isn't my top choice, but the Bears could do worse. McCarthy has a huge body of work and has been successful at multiple levels. He runs a disciplined locker room and has consistently had a high performing offense. Could his system use some 'freshening'? I think so, but that could be the job of whoever he gets to be OC. As for Caleb, he has consistently taken responsibility for his own play and not once has he thrown coaches or teammates under the bus. He's been a consummate teammate for a high profile YOUNG man who could have showed out as a serious diva. I'd give Caleb more credit than he's getting from a lot of the haters.

As for Coen or Brady, both are young and have limited experience. Maybe they work out and maybe we're back in the same spot in 4 years. Let's face it, the Bears need a whole lot of locker room culture shift and I just don't know if either Coen or Brady are that guy.

 

[Chreesto]

Internet chatter certainly seems to be shifting towards "Ben Johnson to the Raiders, Mike McCarthy to the Bears". As a longtime hater of Mike McCarthy, this is close to a worst-case scenario for me. I would prefer Pete Carroll I think. Please, someone, talk me off of the ledge here. How is McCarthy not an offensive version of John Fox? I have not loved the offense in Dallas and I don't know that McCarthy has the personality to develop Caleb. I think I would prefer Liam Coen or Joe Brady even.

Check out the last few pages of the Mike McCarthy thread, particularly @Chaka post toward the bottom of page 14. Dude isn't my top choice, but the Bears could do worse. McCarthy has a huge body of work and has been successful at multiple levels. He runs a disciplined locker room and has consistently had a high performing offense. Could his system use some 'freshening'? I think so, but that could be the job of whoever he gets to be OC. As for Caleb, he has consistently taken responsibility for his own play and not once has he thrown coaches or teammates under the bus. He's been a consummate teammate for a high profile YOUNG man who could have showed out as a serious diva. I'd give Caleb more credit than he's getting from a lot of the haters.

As for Coen or Brady, both are young and have limited experience. Maybe they work out and maybe we're back in the same spot in 4 years. Let's face it, the Bears need a whole lot of locker room culture shift and I just don't know if either Coen or Brady are that guy.

These are all good points. I believe that, in spite of his track record of success, Mccarthy is a limited coach. I feel like we know his ceiling. There is a reason Dallas is letting him move on. To be frank, though, much of my resistance to McCarthy is based on personal feelings. I just hated looking at him. I spent 19 games despising him as he beat the Bears, I don't want to make friendly with the enemy and try to release my grudges. If we are not going to get Ben Johnson, I would rather have Pete Carroll or any of the other candidates than Mccarthy. I understand that my viewpoint is somewhat irrational, but I'm pretty sure fandom always leads to irrational beliefs.

 

[Manster]

Paging mike Mccarthy

 

[MAC_32]

Mccarthy is a limited coach. I feel like we know his ceiling.

He's well connected in media circles and leveraged that to hood wink Jones in the interview process. Dude's a dinosaur, teams are always among the most penalized, game passed him by a decade ago. He's the type that covets a balanced offense then wonders why they're always playing from behind against good teams after a few drives of run-run-pass-punt.

Max said it above- he'd elevate the floor, but the ceiling is an early exit from the playoffs as soon as you play someone good.

 

[calcinorjones]

Internet chatter certainly seems to be shifting towards "Ben Johnson to the Raiders, Mike McCarthy to the Bears". As a longtime hater of Mike McCarthy, this is close to a worst-case scenario for me. I would prefer Pete Carroll I think. Please, someone, talk me off of the ledge here. How is McCarthy not an offensive version of John Fox? I have not loved the offense in Dallas and I don't know that McCarthy has the personality to develop Caleb. I think I would prefer Liam Coen or Joe Brady even.

Check out the last few pages of the Mike McCarthy thread, particularly @Chaka post toward the bottom of page 14. Dude isn't my top choice, but the Bears could do worse. McCarthy has a huge body of work and has been successful at multiple levels. He runs a disciplined locker room and has consistently had a high performing offense. Could his system use some 'freshening'? I think so, but that could be the job of whoever he gets to be OC. As for Caleb, he has consistently taken responsibility for his own play and not once has he thrown coaches or teammates under the bus. He's been a consummate teammate for a high profile YOUNG man who could have showed out as a serious diva. I'd give Caleb more credit than he's getting from a lot of the haters.

As for Coen or Brady, both are young and have limited experience. Maybe they work out and maybe we're back in the same spot in 4 years. Let's face it, the Bears need a whole lot of locker room culture shift and I just don't know if either Coen or Brady are that guy.

These are all good points. I believe that, in spite of his track record of success, Mccarthy is a limited coach. I feel like we know his ceiling. There is a reason Dallas is letting him move on. To be frank, though, much of my resistance to McCarthy is based on personal feelings. I just hated looking at him. I spent 19 games despising him as he beat the Bears, I don't want to make friendly with the enemy and try to release my grudges. If we are not going to get Ben Johnson, I would rather have Pete Carroll or any of the other candidates than Mccarthy. I understand that my viewpoint is somewhat irrational, but I'm pretty sure fandom always leads to irrational beliefs.

I agree with your point about MM being limited. There is success but the Pack and Cowboys made decisions to move forward. The beating the Cowboys endured from GB in the playoffs last year is a red flag in addition to the Cowboys moving on without him in lieu of the injuries. Im more interested in the fresh dynamic offensive innovator and hope they prioritize Johnson.

 

[Chreesto]

Internet chatter certainly seems to be shifting towards "Ben Johnson to the Raiders, Mike McCarthy to the Bears". As a longtime hater of Mike McCarthy, this is close to a worst-case scenario for me. I would prefer Pete Carroll I think. Please, someone, talk me off of the ledge here. How is McCarthy not an offensive version of John Fox? I have not loved the offense in Dallas and I don't know that McCarthy has the personality to develop Caleb. I think I would prefer Liam Coen or Joe Brady even.

Check out the last few pages of the Mike McCarthy thread, particularly @Chaka post toward the bottom of page 14. Dude isn't my top choice, but the Bears could do worse. McCarthy has a huge body of work and has been successful at multiple levels. He runs a disciplined locker room and has consistently had a high performing offense. Could his system use some 'freshening'? I think so, but that could be the job of whoever he gets to be OC. As for Caleb, he has consistently taken responsibility for his own play and not once has he thrown coaches or teammates under the bus. He's been a consummate teammate for a high profile YOUNG man who could have showed out as a serious diva. I'd give Caleb more credit than he's getting from a lot of the haters.

As for Coen or Brady, both are young and have limited experience. Maybe they work out and maybe we're back in the same spot in 4 years. Let's face it, the Bears need a whole lot of locker room culture shift and I just don't know if either Coen or Brady are that guy.

These are all good points. I believe that, in spite of his track record of success, Mccarthy is a limited coach. I feel like we know his ceiling. There is a reason Dallas is letting him move on. To be frank, though, much of my resistance to McCarthy is based on personal feelings. I just hated looking at him. I spent 19 games despising him as he beat the Bears, I don't want to make friendly with the enemy and try to release my grudges. If we are not going to get Ben Johnson, I would rather have Pete Carroll or any of the other candidates than Mccarthy. I understand that my viewpoint is somewhat irrational, but I'm pretty sure fandom always leads to irrational beliefs.

I agree with your point about MM being limited. There is success but the Pack and Cowboys made decisions to move forward. The beating the Cowboys endured from GB in the playoffs last year is a red flag in addition to the Cowboys moving on without him in lieu of the injuries. Im more interested in the fresh dynamic offensive innovator and hope they prioritize Johnson.

I think that all of this interviewing is just preparing a list of "plan B" candidates, in the event that Ben Johnson stands them up at the altar. Johnson is a high risk, high reward choice but that is the chance you happily take when trying to get the next Sean Mcvay, Kyle Shanahan, or Andy Reid. Mike McCarthy seems stuck in an unevolved version of the west coast offense. Not a lot of modern concepts like extensive pre-snap movement of RPO variations.

 

[Sunday Gravy]

Internet chatter certainly seems to be shifting towards "Ben Johnson to the Raiders, Mike McCarthy to the Bears". As a longtime hater of Mike McCarthy, this is close to a worst-case scenario for me. I would prefer Pete Carroll I think. Please, someone, talk me off of the ledge here. How is McCarthy not an offensive version of John Fox? I have not loved the offense in Dallas and I don't know that McCarthy has the personality to develop Caleb. I think I would prefer Liam Coen or Joe Brady even.

Internet chatter certainly seems to be shifting towards "Ben Johnson to the Raiders, Mike McCarthy to the Bears". As a longtime hater of Mike McCarthy, this is close to a worst-case scenario for me. I would prefer Pete Carroll I think. Please, someone, talk me off of the ledge here. How is McCarthy not an offensive version of John Fox? I have not loved the offense in Dallas and I don't know that McCarthy has the personality to develop Caleb. I think I would prefer Liam Coen or Joe Brady even.

Check out the last few pages of the Mike McCarthy thread, particularly @Chaka post toward the bottom of page 14. Dude isn't my top choice, but the Bears could do worse. McCarthy has a huge body of work and has been successful at multiple levels. He runs a disciplined locker room and has consistently had a high performing offense. Could his system use some 'freshening'? I think so, but that could be the job of whoever he gets to be OC. As for Caleb, he has consistently taken responsibility for his own play and not once has he thrown coaches or teammates under the bus. He's been a consummate teammate for a high profile YOUNG man who could have showed out as a serious diva. I'd give Caleb more credit than he's getting from a lot of the haters.

As for Coen or Brady, both are young and have limited experience. Maybe they work out and maybe we're back in the same spot in 4 years. Let's face it, the Bears need a whole lot of locker room culture shift and I just don't know if either Coen or Brady are that guy.

These are all good points. I believe that, in spite of his track record of success, Mccarthy is a limited coach. I feel like we know his ceiling. There is a reason Dallas is letting him move on. To be frank, though, much of my resistance to McCarthy is based on personal feelings. I just hated looking at him. I spent 19 games despising him as he beat the Bears, I don't want to make friendly with the enemy and try to release my grudges. If we are not going to get Ben Johnson, I would rather have Pete Carroll or any of the other candidates than Mccarthy. I understand that my viewpoint is somewhat irrational, but I'm pretty sure fandom always leads to irrational beliefs.

Dallas didn't let him go. He walked away from them and they were pretty surprised.

 

[Sunday Gravy]

Mccarthy is a limited coach. I feel like we know his ceiling.

He's well connected in media circles and leveraged that to hood wink Jones in the interview process. Dude's a dinosaur, teams are always among the most penalized, game passed him by a decade ago. He's the type that covets a balanced offense then wonders why they're always playing from behind against good teams after a few drives of run-run-pass-punt.

Max said it above- he'd elevate the floor, but the ceiling is an early exit from the playoffs as soon as you play someone good.

Reading your post you'd think he hasn't had a winning season in a decade. He won 12 games three straight seasons in Dallas coming into '24. When's the last time we won 12 games?

 

[Manster]

Internet chatter certainly seems to be shifting towards "Ben Johnson to the Raiders, Mike McCarthy to the Bears". As a longtime hater of Mike McCarthy, this is close to a worst-case scenario for me. I would prefer Pete Carroll I think. Please, someone, talk me off of the ledge here. How is McCarthy not an offensive version of John Fox? I have not loved the offense in Dallas and I don't know that McCarthy has the personality to develop Caleb. I think I would prefer Liam Coen or Joe Brady even.

Internet chatter certainly seems to be shifting towards "Ben Johnson to the Raiders, Mike McCarthy to the Bears". As a longtime hater of Mike McCarthy, this is close to a worst-case scenario for me. I would prefer Pete Carroll I think. Please, someone, talk me off of the ledge here. How is McCarthy not an offensive version of John Fox? I have not loved the offense in Dallas and I don't know that McCarthy has the personality to develop Caleb. I think I would prefer Liam Coen or Joe Brady even.

Check out the last few pages of the Mike McCarthy thread, particularly @Chaka post toward the bottom of page 14. Dude isn't my top choice, but the Bears could do worse. McCarthy has a huge body of work and has been successful at multiple levels. He runs a disciplined locker room and has consistently had a high performing offense. Could his system use some 'freshening'? I think so, but that could be the job of whoever he gets to be OC. As for Caleb, he has consistently taken responsibility for his own play and not once has he thrown coaches or teammates under the bus. He's been a consummate teammate for a high profile YOUNG man who could have showed out as a serious diva. I'd give Caleb more credit than he's getting from a lot of the haters.

As for Coen or Brady, both are young and have limited experience. Maybe they work out and maybe we're back in the same spot in 4 years. Let's face it, the Bears need a whole lot of locker room culture shift and I just don't know if either Coen or Brady are that guy.

These are all good points. I believe that, in spite of his track record of success, Mccarthy is a limited coach. I feel like we know his ceiling. There is a reason Dallas is letting him move on. To be frank, though, much of my resistance to McCarthy is based on personal feelings. I just hated looking at him. I spent 19 games despising him as he beat the Bears, I don't want to make friendly with the enemy and try to release my grudges. If we are not going to get Ben Johnson, I would rather have Pete Carroll or any of the other candidates than Mccarthy. I understand that my viewpoint is somewhat irrational, but I'm pretty sure fandom always leads to irrational beliefs.

Dallas didn't let him go. He walked away from them and they were pretty surprised.

The Cowboys aren't winning anything meaningful with MM. So, even if he walked away, and the organization is surprised, it means nothing. Jerrah is still GM. They will likely bring in another mediocre coach who won't challenge Jerrah, wash, rinse, repeat.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

The Athletic is reporting that the Bears flew Mike McCarthy into the city on a private plane. It is noteworthy because they never use a private plane for interviews.

 

[calcinorjones]

Mccarthy is a limited coach. I feel like we know his ceiling.

He's well connected in media circles and leveraged that to hood wink Jones in the interview process. Dude's a dinosaur, teams are always among the most penalized, game passed him by a decade ago. He's the type that covets a balanced offense then wonders why they're always playing from behind against good teams after a few drives of run-run-pass-punt.

Max said it above- he'd elevate the floor, but the ceiling is an early exit from the playoffs as soon as you play someone good.

Reading your post you'd think he hasn't had a winning season in a decade. He won 12 games three straight seasons in Dallas coming into '24. When's the last time we won 12 games?

Respect the recent winning seasons but MM couldn’t get them to the podium holding a Lombardi. Not sure where the gaps were. Maybe SF and the Eagles were better respectively. Dallas had a top OL for a number of years in addition to a top veteran QB, a top 3 WR, solid defenses, a top kicker. I will acknowledge the injuries this year but the goal is the pinnacle. I just get the hunch that this is another Fox or Martz tour of duty.

 

[MAC_32]

Mccarthy is a limited coach. I feel like we know his ceiling.

He's well connected in media circles and leveraged that to hood wink Jones in the interview process. Dude's a dinosaur, teams are always among the most penalized, game passed him by a decade ago. He's the type that covets a balanced offense then wonders why they're always playing from behind against good teams after a few drives of run-run-pass-punt.

Max said it above- he'd elevate the floor, but the ceiling is an early exit from the playoffs as soon as you play someone good.

Reading your post you'd think he hasn't had a winning season in a decade. He won 12 games three straight seasons in Dallas coming into '24. When's the last time we won 12 games?

Respect the recent winning seasons but MM couldn’t get them to the podium holding a Lombardi. Not sure where the gaps were. Maybe SF and the Eagles were better respectively. Dallas had a top OL for a number of years in addition to a top veteran QB, a top 3 WR, solid defenses, a top kicker. I will acknowledge the injuries this year but the goal is the pinnacle. I just get the hunch that this is another Fox or Martz tour of duty.

Bullseye. If he's able to develop Caleb then the Bears might be good enough to make the playoffs then get bounced as soon as they play someone good. If that's the objective, by all means, but if the goals are higher...

 

[Sunday Gravy]

Mccarthy is a limited coach. I feel like we know his ceiling.

He's well connected in media circles and leveraged that to hood wink Jones in the interview process. Dude's a dinosaur, teams are always among the most penalized, game passed him by a decade ago. He's the type that covets a balanced offense then wonders why they're always playing from behind against good teams after a few drives of run-run-pass-punt.

Max said it above- he'd elevate the floor, but the ceiling is an early exit from the playoffs as soon as you play someone good.

Reading your post you'd think he hasn't had a winning season in a decade. He won 12 games three straight seasons in Dallas coming into '24. When's the last time we won 12 games?

Respect the recent winning seasons but MM couldn’t get them to the podium holding a Lombardi. Not sure where the gaps were. Maybe SF and the Eagles were better respectively. Dallas had a top OL for a number of years in addition to a top veteran QB, a top 3 WR, solid defenses, a top kicker. I will acknowledge the injuries this year but the goal is the pinnacle. I just get the hunch that this is another Fox or Martz tour of duty.

Most coaches don't get to the podium. Is that really your requirement to be the next Bears coach?

 

[Sunday Gravy]

Mccarthy is a limited coach. I feel like we know his ceiling.

He's well connected in media circles and leveraged that to hood wink Jones in the interview process. Dude's a dinosaur, teams are always among the most penalized, game passed him by a decade ago. He's the type that covets a balanced offense then wonders why they're always playing from behind against good teams after a few drives of run-run-pass-punt.

Max said it above- he'd elevate the floor, but the ceiling is an early exit from the playoffs as soon as you play someone good.

Reading your post you'd think he hasn't had a winning season in a decade. He won 12 games three straight seasons in Dallas coming into '24. When's the last time we won 12 games?

Respect the recent winning seasons but MM couldn’t get them to the podium holding a Lombardi. Not sure where the gaps were. Maybe SF and the Eagles were better respectively. Dallas had a top OL for a number of years in addition to a top veteran QB, a top 3 WR, solid defenses, a top kicker. I will acknowledge the injuries this year but the goal is the pinnacle. I just get the hunch that this is another Fox or Martz tour of duty.

Bullseye. If he's able to develop Caleb then the Bears might be good enough to make the playoffs then get bounced as soon as they play someone good. If that's the objective, by all means, but if the goals are higher...

So you're saying if the goals are higher, we need to hire someone who's never been a head coach before? Got it.

 

[MAC_32]

If your goals are known mediocrity then Mike McCarthy is a great fit

 

[King of the Jungle]

If your goals are known mediocrity then Mike McCarthy is a great fit

Still an upgrade in comparison to what they have been running with.

 

[calcinorjones]

Mccarthy is a limited coach. I feel like we know his ceiling.

He's well connected in media circles and leveraged that to hood wink Jones in the interview process. Dude's a dinosaur, teams are always among the most penalized, game passed him by a decade ago. He's the type that covets a balanced offense then wonders why they're always playing from behind against good teams after a few drives of run-run-pass-punt.

Max said it above- he'd elevate the floor, but the ceiling is an early exit from the playoffs as soon as you play someone good.

Reading your post you'd think he hasn't had a winning season in a decade. He won 12 games three straight seasons in Dallas coming into '24. When's the last time we won 12 games?

Respect the recent winning seasons but MM couldn’t get them to the podium holding a Lombardi. Not sure where the gaps were. Maybe SF and the Eagles were better respectively. Dallas had a top OL for a number of years in addition to a top veteran QB, a top 3 WR, solid defenses, a top kicker. I will acknowledge the injuries this year but the goal is the pinnacle. I just get the hunch that this is another Fox or Martz tour of duty.

Most coaches don't get to the podium. Is that really your requirement to be the next Bears coach?

Hold on - with respect, why wouldn’t this be the goal? Bringing in a veteran coach or even a rookie coach - if the goal isn’t to win it all then why would anyone even bother to offer a candidate an interview? Just good enough is the barrier to excellence. Been watching this mostly losing with a few runners up for 39 years. If a potential HC is not in these interviews presenting a vision of winning it all and a roadmap for how its going to be done it’s just wash, rinse and repeat. Coaches that get to the podium partner w everyone in the organization to get the necessary buy in and resources to execute their plan. Coaches with great competencies that present this vision to ownership that will not empower them will move on. Coaches that take orders from the e suite just to pick up a check and/ or pad their resume build losers. No vision.

 

[Sunday Gravy]

Mccarthy is a limited coach. I feel like we know his ceiling.

He's well connected in media circles and leveraged that to hood wink Jones in the interview process. Dude's a dinosaur, teams are always among the most penalized, game passed him by a decade ago. He's the type that covets a balanced offense then wonders why they're always playing from behind against good teams after a few drives of run-run-pass-punt.

Max said it above- he'd elevate the floor, but the ceiling is an early exit from the playoffs as soon as you play someone good.

Reading your post you'd think he hasn't had a winning season in a decade. He won 12 games three straight seasons in Dallas coming into '24. When's the last time we won 12 games?

Respect the recent winning seasons but MM couldn’t get them to the podium holding a Lombardi. Not sure where the gaps were. Maybe SF and the Eagles were better respectively. Dallas had a top OL for a number of years in addition to a top veteran QB, a top 3 WR, solid defenses, a top kicker. I will acknowledge the injuries this year but the goal is the pinnacle. I just get the hunch that this is another Fox or Martz tour of duty.

Most coaches don't get to the podium. Is that really your requirement to be the next Bears coach?

Hold on - with respect, why wouldn’t this be the goal? Bringing in a veteran coach or even a rookie coach - if the goal isn’t to win it all then why would anyone even bother to offer a candidate an interview? Just good enough is the barrier to excellence. Been watching this mostly losing with a few runners up for 39 years. If a potential HC is not in these interviews presenting a vision of winning it all and a roadmap for how its going to be done it’s just wash, rinse and repeat. Coaches that get to the podium partner w everyone in the organization to get the necessary buy in and resources to execute their plan. Coaches with great competencies that present this vision to ownership that will not empower them will move on. Coaches that take orders from the e suite just to pick up a check and/ or pad their resume build losers. No vision.

Of course it should be the ultimate goal. But a coach (who already has a ring) not getting his latest team there should not disqualify him from the running.

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

Mccarthy is a limited coach. I feel like we know his ceiling.

He's well connected in media circles and leveraged that to hood wink Jones in the interview process. Dude's a dinosaur, teams are always among the most penalized, game passed him by a decade ago. He's the type that covets a balanced offense then wonders why they're always playing from behind against good teams after a few drives of run-run-pass-punt.

Max said it above- he'd elevate the floor, but the ceiling is an early exit from the playoffs as soon as you play someone good.

Reading your post you'd think he hasn't had a winning season in a decade. He won 12 games three straight seasons in Dallas coming into '24. When's the last time we won 12 games?

Respect the recent winning seasons but MM couldn’t get them to the podium holding a Lombardi. Not sure where the gaps were. Maybe SF and the Eagles were better respectively. Dallas had a top OL for a number of years in addition to a top veteran QB, a top 3 WR, solid defenses, a top kicker. I will acknowledge the injuries this year but the goal is the pinnacle. I just get the hunch that this is another Fox or Martz tour of duty.

Most coaches don't get to the podium. Is that really your requirement to be the next Bears coach?

Hold on - with respect, why wouldn’t this be the goal? Bringing in a veteran coach or even a rookie coach - if the goal isn’t to win it all then why would anyone even bother to offer a candidate an interview? Just good enough is the barrier to excellence. Been watching this mostly losing with a few runners up for 39 years. If a potential HC is not in these interviews presenting a vision of winning it all and a roadmap for how its going to be done it’s just wash, rinse and repeat. Coaches that get to the podium partner w everyone in the organization to get the necessary buy in and resources to execute their plan. Coaches with great competencies that present this vision to ownership that will not empower them will move on. Coaches that take orders from the e suite just to pick up a check and/ or pad their resume build losers. No vision.

Of course it should be the ultimate goal. But a coach (who already has a ring) not getting his latest team there should not disqualify him from the running.

The Browns version of Bill Belichick agrees with you. The truth is, 31 teams will miss winning the superbowl every year. As a GM, you build your team to the best of your ability to get them a chance at the superbowl. As a coach, you work with what you were given to do the same thing. If those stars and many, many others line up then maybe you get the chance to play in the superbowl. MAYBE.

 

[calcinorjones]

Mccarthy is a limited coach. I feel like we know his ceiling.

He's well connected in media circles and leveraged that to hood wink Jones in the interview process. Dude's a dinosaur, teams are always among the most penalized, game passed him by a decade ago. He's the type that covets a balanced offense then wonders why they're always playing from behind against good teams after a few drives of run-run-pass-punt.

Max said it above- he'd elevate the floor, but the ceiling is an early exit from the playoffs as soon as you play someone good.

Reading your post you'd think he hasn't had a winning season in a decade. He won 12 games three straight seasons in Dallas coming into '24. When's the last time we won 12 games?

Respect the recent winning seasons but MM couldn’t get them to the podium holding a Lombardi. Not sure where the gaps were. Maybe SF and the Eagles were better respectively. Dallas had a top OL for a number of years in addition to a top veteran QB, a top 3 WR, solid defenses, a top kicker. I will acknowledge the injuries this year but the goal is the pinnacle. I just get the hunch that this is another Fox or Martz tour of duty.

Most coaches don't get to the podium. Is that really your requirement to be the next Bears coach?

Hold on - with respect, why wouldn’t this be the goal? Bringing in a veteran coach or even a rookie coach - if the goal isn’t to win it all then why would anyone even bother to offer a candidate an interview? Just good enough is the barrier to excellence. Been watching this mostly losing with a few runners up for 39 years. If a potential HC is not in these interviews presenting a vision of winning it all and a roadmap for how its going to be done it’s just wash, rinse and repeat. Coaches that get to the podium partner w everyone in the organization to get the necessary buy in and resources to execute their plan. Coaches with great competencies that present this vision to ownership that will not empower them will move on. Coaches that take orders from the e suite just to pick up a check and/ or pad their resume build losers. No vision.

Of course it should be the ultimate goal. But a coach (who already has a ring) not getting his latest team there should not disqualify him from the running.

Agree. Its up to the Bears brain trust to determine if he still has the drive and frankly, even MM to walk away if he senses lack of empowerment from the Bears.

 

[calcinorjones]

Mccarthy is a limited coach. I feel like we know his ceiling.

He's well connected in media circles and leveraged that to hood wink Jones in the interview process. Dude's a dinosaur, teams are always among the most penalized, game passed him by a decade ago. He's the type that covets a balanced offense then wonders why they're always playing from behind against good teams after a few drives of run-run-pass-punt.

Max said it above- he'd elevate the floor, but the ceiling is an early exit from the playoffs as soon as you play someone good.

Reading your post you'd think he hasn't had a winning season in a decade. He won 12 games three straight seasons in Dallas coming into '24. When's the last time we won 12 games?

Respect the recent winning seasons but MM couldn’t get them to the podium holding a Lombardi. Not sure where the gaps were. Maybe SF and the Eagles were better respectively. Dallas had a top OL for a number of years in addition to a top veteran QB, a top 3 WR, solid defenses, a top kicker. I will acknowledge the injuries this year but the goal is the pinnacle. I just get the hunch that this is another Fox or Martz tour of duty.

Most coaches don't get to the podium. Is that really your requirement to be the next Bears coach?

Hold on - with respect, why wouldn’t this be the goal? Bringing in a veteran coach or even a rookie coach - if the goal isn’t to win it all then why would anyone even bother to offer a candidate an interview? Just good enough is the barrier to excellence. Been watching this mostly losing with a few runners up for 39 years. If a potential HC is not in these interviews presenting a vision of winning it all and a roadmap for how its going to be done it’s just wash, rinse and repeat. Coaches that get to the podium partner w everyone in the organization to get the necessary buy in and resources to execute their plan. Coaches with great competencies that present this vision to ownership that will not empower them will move on. Coaches that take orders from the e suite just to pick up a check and/ or pad their resume build losers. No vision.

Of course it should be the ultimate goal. But a coach (who already has a ring) not getting his latest team there should not disqualify him from the running.

The Browns version of Bill Belichick agrees with you. The truth is, 31 teams will miss winning the superbowl every year. As a GM, you build your team to the best of your ability to get them a chance at the superbowl. As a coach, you work with what you were given to do the same thing. If those stars and many, many others line up then maybe you get the chance to play in the superbowl. MAYBE.

If the vision isn’t there from day one and the entire organization doesn’t have winning the SB as the goal the chances of getting there are next to impossible. Maybe never has a chance. I think we can agree. Of course there are constraints, gaps, challenges, injuries, better teams etc. Winners learn from defeat and improve in season and after the season. BB never gave up and moved on and the results proved to be eventful. The Bears can’t figure it out. Perhaps its time for them to figure it out. Double doink might not have happened if they didn’t ignore that they needed a change at kicker when it looked like a deep playoff run. That’s the Bears. A win it all every season vision makes that in season change. I can accept losing if the effort is 100% and there is confidence the team is coming back stronger with everyone involved in winning it all. We are not getting anything close to this. Maybe the Lovie era but that fell apart. Anyway thanks for your insight

 

[MAC_32]

If your goals are known mediocrity then Mike McCarthy is a great fit

Still an upgrade in comparison to what they have been running with.

Oh, I get that- I'm a Browns fan, we can smell our own. I'm just saying if he's the goal, align expectations accordingly.

 

[Max Power]

Bringing in Arthur Smith for an interview. I can't with this franchise somedays.

 

[calcinorjones]

Bringing in Arthur Smith for an interview. I can't with this franchise somedays.

Goodness- you would think they have the short list by now.

 

[Max Power]

Bringing in Arthur Smith for an interview. I can't with this franchise somedays.

Goodness- you would think they have the short list by now.

If the Bears hire Smith, Kmet needs to demand a trade

 

[calcinorjones]

Bringing in Arthur Smith for an interview. I can't with this franchise somedays.

Goodness- you would think they have the short list by now.

If the Bears hire Smith, Kmet needs to demand a trade

Yeah man wow if this happens its like a double down on Waldron but from a HC perspective. Dude almost destroyed Bij Robinson.

 

[GrantK]

in the event that Ben Johnson stands them up at the altar. Johnson is a high risk, high reward choice

Is there any substance to the Bears wanting Johnson, I mean seriously? Poles goes out and says they're casting a wide net for the next coach, does that mean 20 + interviews? What does that solve, the Bears will F this hire up just as they have in the past. They are not a serious team and sadly won't be until they are owned by someone who cares more about winning than filling the seats and making obscene $$$. There is no way Johnson is coming to Chicago, IMHO.

 

[Chreesto]

in the event that Ben Johnson stands them up at the altar. Johnson is a high risk, high reward choice

Is there any substance to the Bears wanting Johnson, I mean seriously? Poles goes out and says they're casting a wide net for the next coach, does that mean 20 + interviews? What does that solve, the Bears will F this hire up just as they have in the past. They are not a serious team and sadly won't be until they are owned by someone who cares more about winning than filling the seats and making obscene $$$. There is no way Johnson is coming to Chicago, IMHO.

I get this perspective, and often find myself slipping into the same mindset, but I think Bears fans frequently lose sight of context when it comes to NFL ownership and management. Yeah, the Bears suck, but so do MOST other teams. If you are an owner who gets lucky with your management team, coaches, and QB you will become a genius, irrespective of your actual acumen. The Bears didn't hire urban meyer, the Bears didn't give a coach a 10 year/100 million dollar contract, the Bears didn't give a very questionable character the highest guaranteed contract in NFL history, the Bears have a better training facility and staff than many other teams, and the Bears' owners are not the cheapest in the league. Nobody wants a winner more than me, but the truth is that sustained success in the NFL is incredibly difficult and failure is more the norm than the exception. I know it isn't everything, but the Bears actually fare pretty well in the NFLPA Players' Report Card (https://nflpa.com/nfl-player-team-report-cards-2024) which is not nothing, it means free agents and coaches don't see this as quite the same SH#$-show that we see. Eventually this team will hit on the right combination of personnel to restore at least some of their former glory. I was 6 when I first started watching (1983) and I don't think I have been as excited about a QB's potential in the 42 years since. I don't know if my fandom could have survived a Deshaun Watson scenario, but I still have hope that this team is moving in (roughly) the right direction.

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

It has to be a good sign that we're in the hunt for Ben Johnson if we haven't seen leaks of finalizing a deal with McCarthy yet, right?

 

[Chreesto]

It has to be a good sign that we're in the hunt for Ben Johnson if we haven't seen leaks of finalizing a deal with McCarthy yet, right?

I thought so too but then I wondered if maybe we miss out on both of them..............I wouldn't hate Todd Monken, or even Pete Carroll if he brings a serious Offensive coordinator to succeed him.