Windy City Gridiron
The Jaguars make a puzzling move that has the league scratching their heads.
The Chicago Bears may have received a gigantic boost in the Ben Johnson sweepstakes.
Sometimes there are decisions made outside of the Bears’ organization that have a massive impact on what can and will happen at Halas Hall.
It’s not too often that we dedicate an article to the Jacksonville Jaguars but that’s what we are doing here because owner Shad Khan made a shocking decision today that may have seriously pushed Ben Johnson towards Chicago.
Trent Baalke will remain in Jacksonville as the Jaguars General Manager. This is massively positive news for the Chicago Bears. People around the league were confident that Khan would fire Baalke as well. This was considered an important aspect of landing Ben Johnson for multiple reasons.
First, it was thought that Johnson might want to try and bring his own GM with him and create some synergy with a familiar face, but second, simply several people around the league believe many high-profile coaches would refuse to work with Baalke and Johnson is one of them.
Khan has stated this morning that the new coach will report directly to him and not to Baalke, and perhaps he thinks that will allow them to land the coach they hope for, but it is my belief, as well as people’s around the league, that Baalke’s presence in the organization will be enough to deter a coach like Johnson.
I will just state it simply: Baalke has a very poor reputation around the league. It’s so damaged that people just don’t want to work with him.
As of now, there are five openings for head coaching positions around the league. The only one that could open is the Las Vegas Raiders, but rumors are leaking out that they may keep Antonio Pierce for another season.
If that’s the case, the Jets will not pursue Ben Johnson. If Johnson won’t work with Baalke, that’s two jobs he wouldn’t take. I would be surprised if he considers the Saints with a fading Derek Carr and not any true prospect behind him. The Patriots certainly could be a landing spot but Mike Vrabel seems to be the odds-on favorite there.
If Ben Johnson doesn’t take a job this season, he’s going to start to see his star fade. He’s been waiting for the right spot but if he turns down opportunities again this cycle, the league is going to start questioning just how badly he wants to become a head coach. No situation is perfect, your presence is supposed to elevate him.
I believe Johnson knows it’s important to take a job this cycle. I believe the Jets and Saints aren’t a fit for him. If the Patriots go with Vrabel and the Jaguars are no longer an interest to Johnson, all signs point for Ben Johnson to land in Chicago.
I cannot overstate how huge this Baalke news is for Chicago. The next couple of weeks will...
