Thus far Matt Eberflus has hired only one of his three coordinators for his Chicago Bears staff. It might end up being the most surprising. Former Green Bay Packers passing game coordinator Luke Getsy. Not only is it the first time in modern history the Bears stole a prominent assistant from their arch-rivals, but the 37-year old is relatively untried in his new position. He was an offensive coordinator for just one season back in 2018. Yet based on the reaction from Aaron Rodgers, it feels as if the Packers might’ve lost somebody important.
Former Packers wide receiver James Jones was a guest host on The Ringer NFL Podcast alongside Jason Goff and Ryan Shazier. They discussed the recent hirings on the GM and head coaching circuits on the latest show. Shazier addressed what the Bears did with Matt Eberflus and Ryan Poles, acknowledging his concerns about the Getsy addition. That was when Jones jumped in unprompted to speak on that subject.
He had a unique perspective to offer.
Jones played in a college All-Star game with him before reaching the NFL. Then the two reconnected in 2015. This time Getsy was an offensive quality control coach while Jones was in his second stint as a Packers receiver. He learned then that Getsy had the chops for coaching in the NFL. That was when he dropped some inside knowledge about what happened up in Green Bay before the coach departed for Chicago.
“I’ve been in there with Luke. Luke was on the staff when I was with the Packers. And…boy was Aaron Rodgers fighting for this boy to be OC. You know what I’m saying? He was fighting for Luke to be OC. So when I seen this hire, I was like ‘Oh wee, that is excellent for Justin Fields.’
Number one: Coach Luke played the position. Coach Luke played quarterback. Me and Coach Luke was in the All-Star game together. He threw me a touchdown in the All-Star game. Number two: He listens to his players. Especially his quarterback.
So this is going to be one of them situations, and I think Bears fans are going to be extremely excited, because I promise you were are going to see what we’ve been begging to see. Stuff that fits Justin Fields.”
It certainly sounds like Rodgers was not happy about the prospect of losing Getsy. Somebody who reportedly helped diversify the Packers offense and gave the quarterback lots of easy completions thanks to run-pass option concepts. With Nathaniel Hackett leaving to become Denver’s head coach, the natural progression would’ve been Getsy taking over as the offensive coordinator. There was a problem, though.
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Aaron Rodgers didn’t count on Eberflus
The Bears head coach has a relationship with Getsy that goes back several years. He knew that if and when he got a job like this, the young assistant would be his primary choice for offensive coordinator. Eberflus loves his innovative mind and ability to work to his players’ strengths. Something he did quite well in Green Bay and even before that for Mississippi State. Still, it is hard to fathom Getsy chose Justin Fields over Aaron Rodgers.
Except that isn’t exactly what he did. For one, there is no guarantee Rodgers will be back in 2022. Many believe he’ll end up getting traded this offseason as the Packers look to start the Jordan Love era. There is also the lingering risk he might retire. Yet while those risks played a role in the decision, the primary motivation was simpler. Getsy wanted to call plays. Something he wouldn’t have been able to do in Green Bay.
Head coach Matt Lafleur calls the plays.
Eberflus was willing to hand complete control of the Bears offense to him. If he can turn Fields into the player he’s capable of, that will fast-track Getsy to a head coaching job somewhere. There was no such guarantee in Green Bay without play calling and the danger of Rodgers leaving. If nothing else, the young man has ambition. If this makes the Packers’ star QB miserable at the same time, even better.
