Everything the Chicago Bears are focused on going into 2022 is simple. What must they do to ensure Justin Fields is given every opportunity to become a success with this organization? It starts at the top with GM Ryan Pace. While he is the one that drafted Fields, history shows the man hasn’t done the best job at constructing the rest of the offense. The offensive line is mediocre at best while the same goes for their wide receiver position.
If he isn’t capable of doing the job, then it falls to team chairman George McCaskey to find somebody who can. There are plenty of notable names out there. Guys getting lots of hype. Yet this is about particular qualifications. Somebody who might have the key track record to prove what the Bears need. If there is one name who should get serious attention in that regard?
It is John Wojciechowski.
Probably one of the more overlooked front office men around the league. He has been the Green Bay Packers co-director of player personnel since 2018. Before that he was a college scout all the way back in 1998, working for organizations like Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, and Dallas. Yet some Bears fans might recognize the name for another reason. The fact Wojciechowski played offensive line in the NFL for the Bears from 1987 to 1993.
Not only does he have ties to the city but he also played the positions that this organization needs the most help. It probably isn’t a coincidence that Green Bay has had a ton of success at drafting offensive linemen since he came on board in 2012. Among their biggest finds over that period include David Bakhtiari, Corey Linsley, and Elgton Jenkins. Combine this with his established knowledge of the Packers’ ability to identify star receivers (see Davante Adams)? This feels like such a strong move.
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"Hi, I'm Elgton Jenkins and when I'm bored I block two guys on the same play". #Packers pic.twitter.com/Cow7CgJok2
— Salvatore Ioppolo NFL Owner (@saliopp) November 14, 2019
Jon Runyan's strong fundamentals & reliability have him ready to contend for a larger role on the #Packers O-line.
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— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 20, 2021
Justin Fields can benefit from the Green Bay approach
Bears fans may hate it. They may get sick to their stomach at the thought of getting any sort of help from their despised rivals. Yet the facts are undeniable. No organization has done a better job in the past 30 years at cultivating the success of their quarterbacks. Brett Favre routinely had great lines and weapons and now so has Aaron Rodgers. Wojciechowski has almost a decade in that system.
Combined with his deep ties to Chicago and it shouldn’t be a hard sell. He’ll know exactly what must be done in order to provide Justin Fields with help. Not just in terms of constructing the roster but also the type of head coach to hire as well. He was right there when Green Bay scooped up Matt Lafleur. So he knows the type of character and mind necessary to help the quarterback and team function at a high level.
Is he a hot name? No. Is his background what the Bears are looking for?
Absolutely. Wojciechowski has been overlooked for a long time despite his direct hand in helping the Packers rebound from their ugly 2018 season to become a top NFC contender again. What did Kurt Russell say in “Miracle.” I’m not looking for the best players, I’m looking for the right ones. The Bears need the right GM and Wojciechowski might be that guy.
