The Chicago Bears are busy getting ready for their first playoff road game since 1995. That is so weird to say yet it’s the truth. After scraping their way to an 8-8 finish this season, the new NFL rule change that installed a 7th spot in the postseason enabled them to sneak in despite another ugly loss to the Green Bay Packers. Yet the offseason is still right around the corner and preparations must be made.
Nobody knows for sure what fate awaits either the coaching staff or front office. Rumors have circulated for weeks that GM Ryan Pace could be fired and head coach Matt Nagy isn’t entirely safe either. It turns out developments elsewhere could cause turnover at the top of the organization even quicker than expected.
Once again courtesy of the Denver Broncos as it turns out.
Last year the AFC organization pried beloved defensive coordinator Vic Fangio away from Chicago to become their new head coach. Now it seems they have eyes on somebody else. Recently it was announced that John Elway, former Hall of Fame QB who has run the Broncos front office for the past decade is planning to give up personnel duties. He will be promoted to President of Football Operations.
Denver is planning to hire a new GM to take over in his stead. The name that is gaining early traction for the job? Bears assistant pro personnel director Champ Kelly. He’s been on GM radars since last season when he interviewed with the Jets. The difference this time is he actually has ties to the Broncos, working in their front office under Elway from 2010 to 2014. Fangio worked with him for several years in Chicago as well.
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It’s a move that makes plenty of sense.
From The Aftermath: As #Broncos GM John Elway steps aside, one name that'll draw interest is #Bears Assistant Director of Player Personnel Champ Kelly, who interviewed with the #Jets last year. Others with ties to Vic Fangio & DEN are Adam Peters (#49ers) and John Spytek (#Bucs). pic.twitter.com/TZouh6Gkwx
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 4, 2021
Had multiple former #Broncos reach out over last hour and advocate for Kelly. Certainly name to file away given his experience in Denver, connection to Fangio. #Denver7 https://t.co/OQKGWb7zae
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) January 4, 2021
Chicago Bears could actually benefit from Kelly leaving
While losing a quality personnel guy like Kelly would hurt the Bears front office, they would not come away empty-handed if it happens. How? The NFL recently instituted a new rule. One that rewards organizations that help minority coaches and personnel men get elevated to top jobs in the league. In other words, if Kelly is hired as GM the Bears would likely receive 3rd round compensatory picks over the next two drafts.
“A team that loses a minority assistant coach who becomes a head coach or loses a personnel executive who becomes a general manager will receive third-round compensatory picks in each of the next two drafts.”
As of now, the Chicago Bears are projected to have eight picks in the 2021 draft. Five regular picks in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 7th rounds. Then they should receive three 6th round compensatory picks for losses in free agency. Adding a 3rd round compensatory pick would push their total to nine overall and perhaps give them four picks in the top 100.
That would be plenty of ammunition to work with.
Especially for a team with an aging roster that might need a bit of a reboot. Whether Pace is the guy overseeing that remains to be seen. A lot could depend on the result of the game next Sunday in New Orleans. Word persists the GM is still in hot water. It’s quite possible the Bears may end up becoming the eighth team to vacate that position and begin searching for a new one.