If Flus is gone, I need Poles gone as well. Sorry this is business and not friendship like Poles/Flus relationship. His failure to even interview others like Harbaugh should of got him fired in the offseason.
I think the Bears should view the entire body of work - both the good and bad - and there has been some very good work there. GMs usually get more than one bite of the apple when it comes to hiring HC's.
Poles allowed this offensive coaching staff to continue. Poles didn't even attempt to sign better HC's with winning records. You had Jim Harbaugh who was there and you let him pass for one of the worst Bears HC in history? Poles had so much luck happen to him the past few years. Having the 1st overall pick 2 times in a role and having a franchise even worst than us give up a steal of a deal.
Poles needs to be gone for his failure and keeping his friendship with Flus more important than his job as a GM. Ask yourself this, how many Bears GM had multiple 1st overall picks in history?
Every GM gets a second chance at a HC. Poles deserves his. He had the balls to tear down the roster and clear loads of expensive contracts and old wore lazy players. I don't think any team has ripped itself to the core like that, and it's not a one or two year rebuild. Yes, our OL blows chunks, but it has injuries and mitigating circumstances. Poles gets next year to fix the OL.
And the HC. He better be in that HC office ripping Flus a new one right now. Flus shouldn't be on the hot seat right now, he should be just above one of Vlad the Impaler's spikes, all lubed up and waiting to drop Flus on it.
Poles should fire Chris Morgan today if Flus won't.
After Flus, Poles should go hit Shame WalledRun upside the head and beat him with BiH's rubber chicken loaded with pennies. Dude needs to be taught NFL Offenses 101 for Dummies.
Long story short, the answer to the thread title is: Problem. Fix Flus for this next game, or flush him.
I'm not disagreeing with any of that. No question the ship has sailed on Harbaugh and we can't go back and change that. But my point is that the Bears should evaluate what they have in Poles and make a decision based on that. I think some fans would like to fire him to "punish him" for his mistakes. Instead, fire him (or keep him) based on his value to the team moving forward. No question he has made mistakes. All GMs make them and we know that. But is he the best guy for the organization moving forward? Or not? Base the decision on that.
I am in complete agreement with you. Poles made some moves here that screwed us. But he made some masterful moves that I am not ready to just discount. He did not screw us because he wanted to. I really believe he was trying to do the best for the Bears. And yes, even seasoned GMs make mistakes. He seems like a guy that learns. An I have no doubt that he is doing all he can to make the Bears successful. That buys him some time in my book. But regardless of all of that, if we have to go back to getting a new HC, I have no faith in our process... our coaching criteria.... whatever you want to call it. We are not looking at the right guys. Something is definitely wrong there. And I think the same thing happens again.
I agree Poles has not been error free, he has made a few free agent signings that have not worked out. I still believe CW will be a great QB. Poles fleecing of the Panthers along with DJ, CW pick, and other picks may be one of the greatest deals on history. At any rate I feel better about the Cutler trade that many thought the Bears were fleeced 😎. I agree Poles has done much more good than bad. Let's hope he has 20/20 vision this year, we all know hindsight is 20/20 vision.
I'm not disagreeing with any of that. No question the ship has sailed on Harbaugh and we can't go back and change that. But my point is that the Bears should evaluate what they have in Poles and make a decision based on that. I think some fans would like to fire him to "punish him" for his mistakes. Instead, fire him (or keep him) based on his value to the team moving forward. No question he has made mistakes. All GMs make them and we know that. But is he the best guy for the organization moving forward? Or not? Base the decision on that.
I am in complete agreement with you. Poles made some moves here that screwed us. But he made some masterful moves that I am not ready to just discount. He did not screw us because he wanted to. I really believe he was trying to do the best for the Bears. And yes, even seasoned GMs make mistakes. He seems like a guy that learns. An I have no doubt that he is doing all he can to make the Bears successful. That buys him some time in my book. But regardless of all of that, if we have to go back to getting a new HC, I have no faith in our process... our coaching criteria.... whatever you want to call it. We are not looking at the right guys. Something is definitely wrong there. And I think the same thing happens again.
I wonder if money drives this to some extent also. Eberflus is under contract through 2025. He makes $4.5-mil/yr here. Jim Harbaugh is $16-mil/yr. If the Bears had fired 'Flus last year they would have had to take a hit for any guarantee money for 2 years - on top of paying $16-mil to Harbaugh. I'm not saying I agree with that thinking, but wonder if the McCaskeys balked for money reasons. Fans want to think it is some personal thing of the McCaskey's "not liking" Harbaugh, but it could be a financial thing. While the Cap money is set for all teams player-wise, there is no cap for coaches pay. I've read that the Bears simply do not have the deep-pockets that other franchises have. Yes the Bears franchise is valued in the billions. But the cash flow is not that great. Keeping my conspiracy tin foil hat on for a moment longer, I'd also toss out that I've wondered if this is what is driving the Bears to want a rental agreement on the stadium plan (staying in Chicago and letting the Park District continue to be the landlord) rather than develop the 326 acre sports campus in Arlington Heights. Maybe they don't have the cash flow to do that easily... maybe they got cold feet and sticker shock about taking on a big ticket project like the AH stadium development.
I am in complete agreement with you. Poles made some moves here that screwed us. But he made some masterful moves that I am not ready to just discount. He did not screw us because he wanted to. I really believe he was trying to do the best for the Bears. And yes, even seasoned GMs make mistakes. He seems like a guy that learns. An I have no doubt that he is doing all he can to make the Bears successful. That buys him some time in my book. But regardless of all of that, if we have to go back to getting a new HC, I have no faith in our process... our coaching criteria.... whatever you want to call it. We are not looking at the right guys. Something is definitely wrong there. And I think the same thing happens again.
I wonder if money drives this to some extent also. Eberflus is under contract through 2025. He makes $4.5-mil/yr here. Jim Harbaugh is $16-mil/yr. If the Bears had fired 'Flus last year they would have had to take a hit for any guarantee money for 2 years - on top of paying $16-mil to Harbaugh. I'm not saying I agree with that thinking, but wonder if the McCaskeys balked for money reasons. Fans want to think it is some personal thing of the McCaskey's "not liking" Harbaugh, but it could be a financial thing. While the Cap money is set for all teams player-wise, there is no cap for coaches pay. I've read that the Bears simply do not have the deep-pockets that other franchises have. Yes the Bears franchise is valued in the billions. But the cash flow is not that great. Keeping my conspiracy tin foil hat on for a moment longer, I'd also toss out that I've wondered if this is what is driving the Bears to want a rental agreement on the stadium plan (staying in Chicago and letting the Park District continue to be the landlord) rather than develop the 326 acre sports campus in Arlington Heights. Maybe they don't have the cash flow to do that easily... maybe they got cold feet and sticker shock about taking on a big ticket project like the AH stadium development.
That's the McAsskey's problem. No guts to do the right thing.
I am in complete agreement with you. Poles made some moves here that screwed us. But he made some masterful moves that I am not ready to just discount. He did not screw us because he wanted to. I really believe he was trying to do the best for the Bears. And yes, even seasoned GMs make mistakes. He seems like a guy that learns. An I have no doubt that he is doing all he can to make the Bears successful. That buys him some time in my book. But regardless of all of that, if we have to go back to getting a new HC, I have no faith in our process... our coaching criteria.... whatever you want to call it. We are not looking at the right guys. Something is definitely wrong there. And I think the same thing happens again.
I wonder if money drives this to some extent also. Eberflus is under contract through 2025. He makes $4.5-mil/yr here. Jim Harbaugh is $16-mil/yr. If the Bears had fired 'Flus last year they would have had to take a hit for any guarantee money for 2 years - on top of paying $16-mil to Harbaugh. I'm not saying I agree with that thinking, but wonder if the McCaskeys balked for money reasons. Fans want to think it is some personal thing of the McCaskey's "not liking" Harbaugh, but it could be a financial thing. While the Cap money is set for all teams player-wise, there is no cap for coaches pay. I've read that the Bears simply do not have the deep-pockets that other franchises have. Yes the Bears franchise is valued in the billions. But the cash flow is not that great. Keeping my conspiracy tin foil hat on for a moment longer, I'd also toss out that I've wondered if this is what is driving the Bears to want a rental agreement on the stadium plan (staying in Chicago and letting the Park District continue to be the landlord) rather than develop the 326 acre sports campus in Arlington Heights. Maybe they don't have the cash flow to do that easily... maybe they got cold feet and sticker shock about taking on a big ticket project like the AH stadium development.
Hard to say JABF. I have seen them spend big stupid money on guys and big smart money on guys. They don't appear to shy away from spending when they think they will get a good return or when they perceive a good value, but sure. It could be. I still think that the main reason is that he does not fit their "gentleman" coach profile. Harbaugh is too much A personality like Ditka was. Can't have that here. One SB is enough
I think the Bears should view the entire body of work - both the good and bad - and there has been some very good work there. GMs usually get more than one bite of the apple when it comes to hiring HC's.
Poles allowed this offensive coaching staff to continue. Poles didn't even attempt to sign better HC's with winning records. You had Jim Harbaugh who was there and you let him pass for one of the worst Bears HC in history? Poles had so much luck happen to him the past few years. Having the 1st overall pick 2 times in a role and having a franchise even worst than us give up a steal of a deal.
Poles needs to be gone for his failure and keeping his friendship with Flus more important than his job as a GM. Ask yourself this, how many Bears GM had multiple 1st overall picks in history?
I do think luck is a factor with GM's - both good luck and bad luck. I believe the best sports managers position the team for good luck to happen and to minimize the exposure for bad luck to happen. But yeah, there is luck involved. Regarding the retaining of Eberflus, this may, or may not have been his decision. This is a family business and I could see the family wanting Eberflus to stay - and Ryan Poles having to put on the happy face publicly over that. Do they have a close working relationship? I'd hope so. The best sports franchises try to have that, as best they can. Not all, but most make a show of unity... and it makes sense to work together (GM and HC) when possible. This isn't a "Bears thing" or even just an NFL thing. Watch what happens if the Bears do fire both Poles/Eberflus and two new guys come in. They will be salt-of-the-earth friends saying all the buzzword friends things and talking "collaboration" and "shared visions" and on and on.
I wonder if money drives this to some extent also. Eberflus is under contract through 2025. He makes $4.5-mil/yr here. Jim Harbaugh is $16-mil/yr. If the Bears had fired 'Flus last year they would have had to take a hit for any guarantee money for 2 years - on top of paying $16-mil to Harbaugh. I'm not saying I agree with that thinking, but wonder if the McCaskeys balked for money reasons. Fans want to think it is some personal thing of the McCaskey's "not liking" Harbaugh, but it could be a financial thing. While the Cap money is set for all teams player-wise, there is no cap for coaches pay. I've read that the Bears simply do not have the deep-pockets that other franchises have. Yes the Bears franchise is valued in the billions. But the cash flow is not that great. Keeping my conspiracy tin foil hat on for a moment longer, I'd also toss out that I've wondered if this is what is driving the Bears to want a rental agreement on the stadium plan (staying in Chicago and letting the Park District continue to be the landlord) rather than develop the 326 acre sports campus in Arlington Heights. Maybe they don't have the cash flow to do that easily... maybe they got cold feet and sticker shock about taking on a big ticket project like the AH stadium development.
Hard to say JABF. I have seen them spend big stupid money on guys and big smart money on guys. They don't appear to shy away from spending when they think they will get a good return or when they perceive a good value, but sure. It could be. I still think that the main reason is that he does not fit their "gentleman" coach profile. Harbaugh is too much A personality like Ditka was. Can't have that here. One SB is enough
Okay, I'll take my tin foil hat off for today and hang it in the closet. Mrs JABF makes fun of me when I wear it around the house anyway.
This ^^^ is why this issue should have been handled last January. New QB=New HC & OC. And yes, while I will get flamed for this, the new HC should have been from the offensive side of the tree. Problem with a defensive HC developing a new young QB is that he has to make the correct hire at OC and probably doesn't know enough about OC'ing to get it right. Which means you have to shuffle OCs during the QB's learning curve. If by dumb luck he does get it right and hires an OC who is successful, that guy is likely to be hired away by someone else as their new HC. (This is more of a theoretical concern for the Bears cuz they NEVER get offense right.)
Now you're in the awkward position of having to switch out the HC & OC mid-Caleb development if this season goes badly. They made the same dumb mistake with Trubisky/Fox and with Nagy/Fields. I just don't understand why this simple rule-of-thumb is so difficult for the Bears organization to grasp.
I don't care that Flus has done a good job with the D. He's the DAMN HEAD COACH NOT A D-COORDINATOR. He's in year 3 and still isn't managing games nor overseeing the OC well.
It just wasn't a wise decision to hang on to him once you knew you were moving on from Fields.
I don't really think matching up HC and QBs is that big a deal. There's times that works and times it doesn't. It just depends on the situation.
However, I will say that my concern after a couple years of Flus, after last season, was that he's just a JAG version of an HC. He's not really bad, or awful like Trestman was, but I don't get the sense he's really good HC material. He seems like a good motivator who can get his team to play hard but he hasn't shown any ability to select coaches or elevate coaches he hires. Certainly not on the offensive side of the ball. And I have seen nothing that makes me think that he has the ability to out coach another coach. Even Nagy had games where he clearly out game-planned the other coach.
Flus always just seems to be reacting to things and not trying to dictate the flow of the game. He doesn't look like he's looking into the future like he needs to. That 2-point mess where he had to use a time out is a good example. At the start of that drive you knew if you scored you would want to go for 2. So why wasn't everyone aware of that after the TD? Why was the kicking team being sent out? You need to anticipate these things as an HC and make sure they don't happen.
Matching the HC-QB isn't about guaranteeing the QB "works out". Its about avoiding having to switch coaches, coordinators, and schemes as much as possible while a young QB is still learning the ropes. The Bears seem to loooooove switching coaching staffs mid-stream--they did it Fields, they did it with Trub, they did it multiple times with Cutler. That's a recipe for failure. Not always, but often.
You're right that Flus is the ultimate JAG HC. He's good on D, seems fine with the locker room, but blows on O and still can't manage a game properly in year 3. Considering that developing Williams is priority #1 by a wide margin, Flus isn't the guy for the job and he should have been changed out last offseason.
Flus would probably be a solid HC for a team with an established vet QB that needs to tune up its defense.
Hard to say JABF. I have seen them spend big stupid money on guys and big smart money on guys. They don't appear to shy away from spending when they think they will get a good return or when they perceive a good value, but sure. It could be. I still think that the main reason is that he does not fit their "gentleman" coach profile. Harbaugh is too much A personality like Ditka was. Can't have that here. One SB is enough
Okay, I'll take my tin foil hat off for today and hang it in the closet. Mrs JABF makes fun of me when I wear it around the house anyway.
I've got tinfoil hats in various shapes, cowboy, etc. but the inverted funnel is my favorite.
