The Chicago Bears are most well-known for their long, tortured history at quarterback. It is something they haven’t been able to solve for the past eight decades. Hopes are high that Caleb Williams might finally end the misery. However, perhaps their track record as head coach is equally frustrating. George Halas was an all-time great. Since he retired in 1968, it’s been mostly a run of mediocre-to-bad. The past 11 years might be the worst it’s ever been with Marc Trestman, John Fox, Matt Nagy, and now Matt Eberflus. People are struggling to understand why this keeps happening. Lance Briggs has a theory.
The seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker was asked about the head coaching woes on the CHGO Bears Podcast. He believes the problem lies with the types of personalities the team targets. While most of them aren’t necessarily bad coaches, all were completely ill-equipped to handle Chicago. They had no concept of how demanding this city’s fans are and how unforgiving the media can be. Many coaches don’t know how to handle that. Just watching Eberflus’ press conferences makes that clear. He never understood Chicago.
Lance Briggs knows this well. He played for three different ones.
His career started under Dick Jauron in 2003 before moving to Lovie Smith for the next nine seasons and then ending with Marc Trestman in 2013. Jauron and Trestman were well-meaning guys, but their subdued personalities made them easy prey for the fans and media. Once things went poorly, they didn’t know how to stop things from spiraling. Smith was different. He understood Chicago from the outset. His first team goal upon arrival was to beat Green Bay. He’d done his homework. Mike Ditka played for the franchise in the 1960s. He also understood the city better than anybody.
The Bears need to find that. Yes, they want a coach who is a leader of men. However, they also need one who is mentally tough enough to deal with the inevitable firestorms of fan outrage and media controversy that will arrive when things go poorly. Lance Briggs is correct. Good coaches aren’t necessarily good everywhere. It is all about the right fit. Once Eberflus is fired in January, the upcoming search for his replacement must center around finding the guy who isn’t intimidated by Chicago.
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The Bears lost 5 games by 6 or fewer points and 3 close games in the final play. Despite losing run-stopper IDT Billings, and having numerous OL injuries, the Bears have held time of possession edge in GB and Minn games vs 2 potent offenses and tough defenses. The Bears could easily be 7-4, not 4-7. Caleb has been the only offense since the running game sucks. But one dimensional offenses don’t win games. CW has responded to pressure with 86% Completion on blitzes. And the rookie has made many tough throws and good decisions to keep from turning the… Read more »
Mike Singletary is the kind of guy we need at the HC position. Someone who would hold players, coaches and himself accountable. And not cater to the fragile little egos that fill the NFL today.
Bears history quiz: the Bears selected two running backs from the same team in the draft one year. What were their names? No cheating!
I had wanted the Bears to do the same thing with Bijan and Roschon out of Texas.
One thing you have to understand about fighting: you can’t be afraid of getting hit.
Most people fall into two of three categories: they either think they’re going to do all the hitting, or they’re afraid of getting hit.
The ones who understand that every step in life is about both, will be able to address . . . both.
By the way, it can be coached.
@TGena that dope Melhus is really sitting here giving Poles points for “doing the scouting to draft Caleb Williams” lolololol
As if this was the Chiefs trading up 15 spots to select Mahomes at #10 ahead of Watson.