The Chicago Bears have decisions to make about their power structure when the 2020 season ends. As of now? It appears nothing is set in stone. Most insiders believe GM Ryan Pace is the one most in danger of losing his job. This due to the failures at quarterback and that this team is flirting with an 8-8 record or worse for the fifth time in six seasons. Head coach Matt Nagy’s status is a bit less clear given both his status in the locker room and two years remaining on his contract. His fate is one many are watching. Especially Pat Fitzgerald.

Or at least that’s the rumor. Multiple NFL insiders have said the Northwestern head coach is contemplating a jump to the pros. However, he won’t do it for just any job. He wants to coach the Bears. It’s a perfect situation. Not only would he not have to move his family but he’d get to coach the team he grew up watching. Yet some still wonder why Fitzgerald would even want to leave such a cushy job.

Well, it seems a reason finally became public.

Jim Phillips is one of the most respected athletic directors in college football. Widely beloved. It isn’t a surprise a top conference like the ACC would target him for such a job. This is significant because he and Fitzgerald have a close relationship. One that was established all the way back in 2008. Phillips’ exit will create uncertainty at Northwestern. Maybe enough to convince the 46-year old it’s time to move on.

That decision may become clear if the Bears job is available. Here’s the thing though. He being interested in them is only half the formula. Chicago would have to be interested in him too. To that end, Albert Breer of The MMQB reports the coach has quite a plan to help sweeten the pot.

“Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald’s name has come up again, as it has every year for the better part of a decade now. The Bears, for their part, haven’t made any firm decisions, or whether potential changes in football operations would be complete or partial. But this much I feel comfortable saying:

For a lot of reasons, if Fitzgerald was going to take his shot in the NFL, the Bears would be at the top of the list of jobs he’d want. And if he were to make the leap, and into a place with a GM vacancy, I’m told that Vikings exec George Paton would be a strong candidate to be his GM. The two share an agent and have built a strong rapport.”

Pat Fitzgerald bringing Paton is a strong sales pitch

Paton is the Minnesota Vikings assistant GM. A job he’s held since 2012. He is the right-hand man of GM Rick Spielman, one of the best in the NFL. In their time together, the Vikings have enjoyed a consistent streak of success at building that roster. Here are some of the noteworthy names they’ve drafted.

• Everon Griffen
• Kyle Rudolph
• Harrison Smith
• Xavier Rhodes
• Cordarrelle Patterson
• Anthony Barr
• Eric Kendricks
• Danielle Hunter
• Dalvin Cook
• Justin Jefferson

Paton is one of the most experienced personnel directors in the league who hasn’t gotten a shot at his own GM job yet. Teams have tried prying him out of Minnesota for years. Thus far without success. Even the Bears tried back in 2015 but he declined. If Pat Fitzgerald could actually lure him to Chicago in a package deal? That could be huge.

Paton has ties to the organization already.

He was a scout for the Bears in the 1990s and became an assistant personnel director in 2000, being part of that fateful draft that acquired Brian Urlacher. However, the arrival of Jerry Angelo the next year compelled him to leave town, following Spielman to Miami and then Minnesota. It would be a nice full-circle moment to bring him back to run the entire organization.