Could Bill Belichick be the next Chicago Bears head coach?
After firing John Fox, the Chicago Bears are searching for their next head coach. It just so happens that the greatest coach of all-time, Bill Belichick, may become available.
If you told me that New England Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick could be the next Chicago Bears’ head coach I would have laughed hysterically. However, early Friday morning ESPN’s Seth Wickersham released a bombshell news story about how the Patriots dynasty could be unraveling. Thanks to Wickersham, we have a lot of great quotes about the inter-workings of the Patriots.
"Those interviewed describe a palpable sense in the building that this might be the last year together for this group."
A lot of this story has to deal with the Tom Brady-Jimmy Garoppolo dilemma. Belichick wanted to re-sign Garoppolo, which would mean that this could have been Brady’s last year with the Patriots. However, Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft demanded Belichick to trade Garoppolo.
"The meeting ended with a clear mandate to Belichick: trade Garoppolo. Belichick was furious and demoralized, according to friends."
Basically, Kraft chose his friendship with Brady over Belichick’s system and winning with Garoppolo for the next decade.
Well, this brings in the Chicago Bears, one of the most storied franchises in the NFL. It just so happens that they are currently looking for a new head coach. Coincidentally, general manager Ryan Pace just interviewed Patriots’ offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. It remains to be seen if their defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will be interviewed by Pace, but obviously there is some interest from Pace into the Patriots.
Is it a possibility that Belichick could retire? Sure, it’s hard to ever get a gauge on him. He always seems so emotionless. Remember the “we’re on to Cincinnati” press conference? At the same time, he seems stubborn and prideful. For that reason, I believe he would like to prove that he is the reason why the Patriots win. It’s Belichick’s system. Not Brady’s.
"Belichick seems to be grinding harder than ever, as if more than a sixth championship is at stake. [He] also has taken a longer view, as though he sees pieces of his impact worldwide. He’s preparing assistant coaches for job interviews elsewhere, which he didn’t do in years past. He has taken pride in Garoppolo’s 5-0 record in San Francisco–and in the fact that Kraft has confessed to people in the building that trading Garoppolo might have been a mistake."
If Belichick wanted to leave New England after the 2017 playoffs, teams would have an all out bidding war for his services. I’m sure there would even be teams that fire their current head coach for a chance to go after Belichick. It would be chaos.
"Those interviewed describe a lingering sadness around the team, as if coaches and staff know that the end might be near."
Belichick is under contract, so the Chicago Bears would most likely have to trade for him. What would be the cost? When the Oakland Raiders traded Jon Gruden to the Tampa Bay Buccanneers it cost 1st and 2nd round draft picks in 2002, a 1st round pick in 2003 and a 2nd round pick in 2004, plus cash.
There’s also the possibility that Kraft could release Belichick just out of respect for the five championships and sustained level of success. If Belichick hit the open market, the Chicago Bears should have no second thoughts about paying him whatever he wants. Gruden is about to accept a 10 year, $100 million deal to return as head coach of the Raiders.
If I'm the Bears, I also hold off on hiring a HC until after the Patriots season ends in case I can pry Belichick away from the Pats. Giants and Bears would have the best shot.
— Jason Smith (@howaboutafresca) January 5, 2018
George McCaskey should be willing to open the checkbook for a chance to bring the city of Chicago back to glory. If that means a five year, $100 million contract, then so be it. If he is on the market, do whatever it takes to make him the16th head coach in Chicago Bears.
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Why would Belichick choose the Chicago Bears? Well, they have a hungry fan-base that is desperate to experience winning, once again. The team may have $70 million in cap space (after a few players are likely cut) and a top-ten defense. Also, Belichick would also have a chance to mold an athletic, accurate and young quarterback named Mitch Trubisky into who he is supposed to become.
"Belichick always had a vision for how, after more than four decades in the NFL, he wanted to walk away, beyond setting up the team at quarterback. He wanted the winning to continue without him, to have a legacy of always having the best interests of the franchise in mind."
Is that success going to happen in New England, after Belichick is gone? That’s highly doubtful. Brady is 40 and they traded away quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Garoppolo. Don’t forget that the Patriots will have a low draft pick and no “Belichick-ian” system to groom the new successor. So, is that how Belichick wants to leave the NFL. According to Wickersham, he wants to leave the team in good shape.
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By the time Belichick is done coaching, Trubisky would likely still be playing. He could leave a proper succession plan in place that will leave a lasting footprint. That’s how he wants to go out. And he could do that with the Chicago Bears. “We’re on to Green Bay” has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?