Friday, January 24, 2025

George McCaskey Reportedly Played A Pivotal Role In Ben Johnson Hire

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Things came together remarkably fast. Everybody thought the Chicago Bears were meandering in the wilderness with no plan, meeting 17 head coaching candidates hoping to stumble onto their solution. In reality, GM Ryan Poles and his search team were merely biding their time until the guy they wanted was available. Just 24 hours after Ben Johnson and his Detroit Lions were eliminated from the playoffs, Chicago held an in-person interview with Tennessee State head coach Eddie George. This satisfied the Rooney Rule. Another 24 hours after that, Johnson agreed to a contract. Many don’t know that Poles got a major assist in closing the deal from George McCaskey, of all people.

Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog was on top of this process from the beginning. He confirmed last week that Johnson and Poles seemed to hit it off during the interview. The coach liked a lot of what he was hearing about the situation. However, he had one concern. He wanted assurances that McCaskey and team president Kevin Warren wouldn’t meddle in football decisions. McCaskey agreed. Once that happened, everything else came together.

George McCaskey deserves credit for this.

For all the criticisms he gets as owner of the Bears, there is one thing he’s always been good about. That is staying out of the way of his football people. In the past 15 years, there has never been an indication that he meddles in such things. His goal has always been to hire a GM and a head coach and let them run the show. The team president handles the business side of things. Johnson’s request didn’t require any sacrifices from ownership. It merely asked him to do what he’s already done for years.

The key part will be making sure Warren doesn’t overstep. He has a reputation for sticking his nose into everything. That is not to say he interferes, but it’s something coaches get nervous about. Johnson wants this to be a partnership between him and Poles. Less cooks in the kitchen. George McCaskey at least understands that much. His lack of ego served the Bears perfectly right when they needed it to. Maybe, just maybe, this is the elusive home run he’s been waiting for.

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21 COMMENTS

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rcheezy
rcheezy
Jan 24, 2025 12:15 am

Maybe just Maybe we might get good again. Things have started off so well. I can’t wait till next season starts already man!

jack60616
jack60616
Jan 21, 2025 1:19 pm

I dont remember ever a time the bears ownership was crucified in the national media has it was this year…sure in Chicago they been ragged on this way every year …but this past year… it was Nationally…it was on every national sports talk shows and national podcasts… I think this is what forced the hand of the McCaskeys to finally pay for a coach seeing how much heat he got nationally…. I think it had do with the Caleb Williams and the expectations the national sports media had with him…and the failure of the bears season…that finally turned on the… Read more »

Last edited 2 days ago by jack60616
Rocketrider
Rocketrider
Jan 21, 2025 11:52 am

Well same old bullshit from my bitch sally BUT…something I never thought I would see…”good job Poles” coming from gena….its a new day. And kudos to George for listening to the fans and stepping up by staying out of the way AND paying $13+ million for the #1 coach. Shockwaves all around.

Last edited 2 days ago by Rocketrider
Wes P
Wes P
Jan 21, 2025 9:41 am

When I read the headline to this article, I was surprised that George McCaskey was getting credit for his involvement in hiring Ben Johnson. My first reaction was that this is not good because nothing he’s been involved in has been successful. It was like a curse! However, the rest of the article goes on to say keep him and Kevin Warren out of the circle with Ben Johnson and Ryan Poles. That sounds like a good plan!

Dr. Steven Sallie
Dr. Steven Sallie
Jan 21, 2025 8:11 am

Looks like we have a second wave of hyenaism here. Many here are giving Poles major credit for signing Ben. What simpletons. If anything, it was an obvious dictated choice by George for Poles’ own survival, for at least a year.

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