Windy City Gridiron
I recently asked my WCG and 2nd City Gridiron teammates four questions about the Chicago Bears’ ongoing head coaching search.
We got the obvious one out of the way first: Who is the candidate you’d be 100% pleased with the Bears hiring?
Yesterday, we all gave our number two choice if Ben Johnson doesn’t get the gig.
Part three was the candidate we hope the Bears have nothing to do with.
Our final question was: Who is the out-of-left-field candidate that you’d actually be fine with but most Bears fans will probably hate?
Sam Householder: I’m not as down on Mike McCarthy as others. Sure he was with the evil empire for ages, but he has a .600 win percentage in the regular season. It would feel uninspired, but if the worst-case scenario is I am pissed off at four straight Wild Card or Divisional playoff losses and a top-10 offense, I should be so lucky. I would consider giving up an appendage for mediocrity at this point. If winning 60 percent of the games every year is mediocre, then fine. If that means angrily turning off my TV while McCarthy stares at a video board with his mouth open and arms folded with the playsheet in one hand (Admit it, you know EXACTLY the pose I’m talking about), then so be it.
I implore this regime to swing for the fences though and not to settle for an aging known commodity or unknown they believe they see something in that literally no one else does.
TJ Starman: Ok, so... Mike McCarthy? *Dodges thrown hot dogs* I’m not sure how out of left field it really is anymore, and I’m also emphasizing that I would be “fine” with it, not ecstatic by any means. However, McCarthy has won a lot of games in the NFL and most importantly, he worked as close as anyone with prime Aaron Rodgers. The Bears have to prioritize Caleb Williams’ development and having that perspective can’t be a bad thing, right? *Dodges more thrown hot dogs*
Jeff Berckes: Pete Carroll. That’s probably not left field exactly, but I think a lot of Bears fans would be upset. Yes, he’s 73 years old, but he’s always had a ton of energy and has demonstrated the ability to connect with players over the years. Respectability and competitiveness, with hopefully a smart succession plan in place, are something I could talk myself into.
Mason West: I am a caricature of myself. I wanted Brian Flores over Matt Eberflus last time around. I would want the same here. Let the comment section eviscerate me.
Jacob Infante: I’m with Mason in that Brian Flores would not infuriate me. I’ve been of the opinion that he absolutely deserves another chance at a head coaching job; I just don’t want that to be with the Bears. That said, he’s my favorite defensive coordinator in terms of his aggression and ability to disguise coverage looks. The team would get better with him in...
