The Chicago Bears had a busy Saturday to say the least. Not only did they conduct two interviews with potential head coach candidates, but also a GM candidate. Former Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell got his chance to make a case for the coaching vacancy. He was joined by Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Yet the biggest surprise was the revelation they’d also talked with Monti Ossenfort about the GM position.
Ossenfort has garnered tons of attention this cycle from GM-needy teams. It’s not hard to see why. The VP of Player Personnel for the Tennessee Titans has played a big role in helping the organization become the #1 seed going into the 2021 playoffs. Before that, he was the director of college scouting for the New England Patriots for six years. So he’s had widespread experience in producing a consistently winning organization.
We have completed interviews with general manager candidate Monti Ossenfort and head coach candidates Jim Caldwell & Nathaniel Hackett.https://t.co/fIWyc0sVgh
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 16, 2022
Ossenfort’s track record is certainly a notable one.
He helped the Patriots sustain their success throughout the 2010s including three Super Bowl victories in 2014, 2016, and 2018. Players he helped draft or acquire as undrafted free agents were big parts of that including Shaq Mason, Joe Thuney, Trey Flowers, Malcolm Butler, Tyler Ott, David Andrews, Jonathan Jones, J.C. Jackson, and Jakobi Meyers. He has since helped do the same in Tennessee.
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The big question is whether Ossenfort is ready for the job. He’s only been a personnel director for two years. The same as Ryan Pace back in 2015. There is a fair argument that he needs more seasoning before he is ready to accept a big job like the Chicago Bears. Then again there is never knowing for certain if a guy is ready or not. Either way, the team was wise to at least give him a look. He’s been part of two top franchises in the AFC. The man has seen the blueprint work in two different locations.
