When people think about the best GM in Chicago Bears history, the name that comes up the most is Jim Finks. The reasons are obvious. His first draft pick was Walter Payton. He was the architect of the 1985 Super Bowl team. It’s not hard to see why he remains the gold standard these days. Somebody all successors tried to live up to. Thus far it hasn’t happened.

However, people often forget it took more than one person to build those great teams in the 1980s. A lot of Bears fans might remember the name Bill Tobin. He was one of the top scouts under Finks during that era and would eventually become their de facto GM from 1987 to 1992. His brother Vince Tobin also became defensive coordinator for the team in 1986. A job he’d hold until 1992 as well.

So the Tobin family has deep ties to the Bears organization.

Why is this noteworthy? Perhaps because an opportunity may arise in the next month for the franchise to bring the Tobin bloodline home. The Cincinnati Bengals have endured a recent downturn in success. Their roster got old in several places and needed an overhaul. Especially on defense and the offensive line. Thus far the returns this season aren’t great.

Now prized #1 overall quarterback Joe Burrow is out with a shredded knee. Fans are looking for people to blame. A lot of voices have begun to turn towards Duke Tobin in that regard. The long-time Bengals director of player personnel has been their GM in all but name since 2011. There is at least an undercurrent of belief that changes might happen as Matt Miller of Bleacher Report hinted at.

“For now, Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor remains employed and the structure of the front office is still intact. Whoever is around in late April to make the selection at No. 3 overall has an easy choice to make with Oregon left tackle Penei Sewell the best bet to come in and protect Joe Burrow.”

Chicago Bears in a good position to try luring Tobin

Team owner Mike Brown has always resisted change at the top of his organization. However, it’s fair to wonder if outside pressures might compel him to give the front office its first shakeup in a long time. Tobin has been a target of NFL teams in the past. All of whom wanted him as their GM. Up to this point, he’s refused, wishing to stay where he is. It’s fair to wonder if that has changed.

Refusing teams like the Lions and Titans is one thing. What would happen if the Bears came calling? The team his father worked for. The team he grew up watching. There is no doubting his loyalty to Cincinnati but it’s fair to wonder if after 21 years with that organization he might feel it’s time for a new challenge somewhere else.

If so, the Bears have every reason to pursue him.

Since Tobin started to gain more power in the Bengals organization, they started to draft a lot better. Here’s a shortlist of names he was involved in helping select over his long tenure.

• Justin Smith
• Chad Johnson
• Carson Palmer
• Johnathan Joseph
• Andrew Whitworth
• Geno Atkins
• Carlos Dunlap
• A.J. Green
• Andy Dalton

What stands out immediately is how successful Tobin was at securing quarterbacks. Both Palmer and Dalton went on to become Pro Bowlers. His father was solid in this department as well. He famously wanted to draft Joe Montana in 1979 before Finks overruled him. He was involved in the selection of Jim McMahon in 1982 as well. This family has a strong track record of identifying that position. Tobin himself was a QB in the Arena League.

If the Chicago Bears wanted to make a strong push for a proven commodity in the NFL executive landscape, this is a name they have to consider.