Da Windy City
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Chicago Bears on Pat Fitzgerald’s short list

By Patrick Sheldon

Nov 23, 2019; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald stands on the sidelines in a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2019; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald stands on the sidelines in a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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Could the Chicago Bears be interested in Northwestern’s head coach?

The Chicago Bears are at a cross roads. The are 5-5 having lost their last four straight and face the Green Bay Packers later this evening in prime time.

At one point in the season, it felt like the Bears would almost certainly make the playoffs. Now, fans are talking about how long it will be until they fire general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy.  It is not a forgone conclusion they will — not by a longshot. However, if they do, could they be interested in Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald?

Well, if they are the feeling might be mutual. According to a recent report from Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Bears might be the only team he would consider leaving Northwestern for.

Fitzgerald has a good gig at Northwestern and he knows it. He has enjoyed coaching at his alma mater where expectations aren’t unreasonable like they can be at many Power 5 schools.

In fact, he enjoys his current job so much, he rebuffed the Green Bay Packers when they wanted to interview him before hiring Matt LaFleur.

There are only 32 jobs in the NFL and every one, no matter the team, is highly coveted. So to turn down an interview says a lot. To turn down an interview with a historic franchise like the Packers, with a chance to coach Aaron Rodgers, speaks volumes.

What also speaks volumes is the fact that Fitzgerald would consider the Bears of the came calling. Surely, the geographic proximity likely plays a huge factor being that he’s a local guy.

Fitzgerald would be an interesting selection. Although his team lost to Michigan State on Saturday, prior to that point they were 5-0 and looking like a team that had an outside shot to make some noise in the race for a college football playoff berth.

Nevertheless, Fitzgerald has demonstrated a history of getting the most out the talent he has, leading a team that is not known for hitting on elite recruiting classes each year.

That’s a skill that would serve him well next year in Chicago who will need to find a way to maximize the limited talent they have on the  offensive side of the ball.

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