John Fox ended up being the first hire for GM Ryan Pace when he got the job back in 2015. At the time it seemed like a strong move. Fox had already taken two different franchises to a Super Bowl. He seemed to have the experience and knowledge needed for a rebuilding effort. That, of course, didn’t work out.
Perhaps if things had gone along a different timeline, another person might’ve gotten the job. People don’t recall how wacky the first day on the job was for Pace. New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles revealed the situation when talking with Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune.
It turns out that both he and Pace had arrived at Halas Hall for interviews on the same day. Pace made a strong impression and got the job with confidence from George McCaskey and Ted Phillips. It was then they informed the new GM that Bowles was awaiting his interview. Would he be up for it?
Pace agreed without hesitation, though Bowles understood that the timing of the situation likely wouldn’t play out in his favor.
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On a conference call this week, Bowles offered his recollections of that whirlwind Thursday afternoon and his unusual introduction to Pace.
“Well, I knew it was weird,” Bowles acknowledged. “But I knew that it was weird for him as well. I knew he wasn’t going to hire a head coach on the first interview of his first meeting when he had just walked in the building.
“It was just kind of strange that it happened. But I’m glad I met him and we connected. We get along pretty well.”
How different would things be if Chicago Bears had hired Bowles?
There were strong rumors a couple years later that Pace actually wanted to make Bowles the new head coach. That’s how well they hit it off. However, things changed when Fox became available. Most felt a veteran coach might be a better fit with a young, rookie GM than Bowles who was seeking his first true head coaching job.
Things might’ve been different for a number of players, starting with Brandon Marshall. Don’t forget that the Jets, who hired Bowles a few days later, traded for the mercurial receiver that same offseason. The Bears may have kept Marshall with him in charge. This likely would’ve caused them to not draft Kevin White in the first round a couple months later.
Vic Fangio also wouldn’t have become the defensive coordinator during their transition to a 3-4 defense. Would Adam Gase have come to Chicago without Fox there to recruit him? Doubtful. That leaves the status of Jay Cutler in question as well. So many possibilities to consider as the Bears and Jets prepare to do battle on Sunday.
