Chicago Bears fans have rightfully been focused on their own coaching search over the past few weeks. However, things have since settled down with all of the key positions filled. Matt Nagy is firmly in charge as head coach. Former Oregon mastermind Mark Helfrich is his offensive coordinator. Last but not least? Vic Fangio agreed to return as maestro of the Bears defense. This is good news all around.
At the same time it would be unwise for people to remain ignorant of what’s been going on around the rest of the division. All three of the Bears’ biggest rivals have either made big coaching changes or are about to. Changes that could impact their fortunes, for better or worse in the years to come. If fans haven’t yet grasped what’s happened during the whirlwind of the past couple weeks, here’s a breakdown of the important bits.
Green Bay Packers hire Joe Philbin as offensive coordinator
Most people will be focused on the hiring of Mike Pettine as the Packers defensive coordinator. He’ll be replacing Dom Capers who’d been with the team since 2009. Nobody has really bothered to notice the return of Joe Philbin to the offensive coordinator job he left back in 2012. People forget that when Philbin held the position Aaron Rodgers had arguably the most productive stretch of his career.
In 2010 they won the Super Bowl and a year later in 2011 Rodgers won league MVP, throwing a career-high 45 touchdowns to just six interceptions. A reunion of these two may just lead back to the dominance Green Bay had back then.
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Detroit Lions zeroing in on Matt Patricia as head coach
Jim Caldwell was fired for two reasons. He failed to reach the playoffs this season and GM Bob Quinn was waiting on the opportunity to hire his own coach. Now he has that chance and it’s apparent he has a target in mind. New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has been the rumored favorite for the job for the past month and that hasn’t change. Word persists it will be his whenever the playoff run ends for New England.
No doubt the idea is a simple one. Detroit knows they have a great offense in place around Matthew Stafford. What they want is a head coach who will come in and not mess with that but can fix their constantly underachieving defense. Patricia has never fielded a defense lower than 10th in points allowed. The hire makes plenty of sense.
Minnesota Vikings OC Pat Shurmur a finalist for Cardinals and Giants jobs
The other two teams are about gaining new coaches. The Vikings meanwhile are holding their breath on losing one. Their team really became a Super Bowl contender when they promoted Pat Shurmur to offensive coordinator. His ability to elevate Case Keenum at quarterback was the driving force behind punching their ticket to the NFC championship. Now it appears other teams have taken notice.
Shurmur is not only the finalist for one job but two. It’s rumored he’s a heavy favorite to land the Arizona Cardinals gig in the wake of Bruce Arians departing, no doubt because there’s a feeling he could bring one of the Vikings three QBs with him. Meanwhile his name has suddenly popped up as a contender for the competitive New York Giants opening. Either way Minnesota is certain to feel the sting of his loss.
