The Bears’ Revolving Door Continues
The Chicago Bears have launched what can be generously called an “inclusive” or “exhaustive” search to find a replacement for Lovie Smith. The number of potential candidates has soared into double-digits, and it seems that each new day adds another name.
This much is clear. The Bears are looking for someone to bring the offense to another level. Remember, the Bears only finished in the upper-half of the NFL in offense once during Lovie Smith’s nine-year run in Chicago (15th). Otherwise, Chicago languished near the bottom of the NFL.
The current list of candidates includes a number of offensive coordinators and special teams coaches. The notable exception to the offense-heavy list is Hall of Famer Mike Singletary, who served as a linebackers coach and assistant to Leslie Frazier in Minnesota this past year. Singletary’s inclusion piqued the interest and curiosity (and elicited derision) of pundits and scribes in Chicago. On some level, Singletary’s resume does not match Emery’s criteria, but I don’t dismiss that there’s something to be gleaned from speaking with him.
Again, the prevailing thought is that Emery’s top choices are still fighting for a spot in New Orleans. If that’s the case, why not speak to a great number of candidates while waiting. The draft analysts are still working around the clock. The capologists are doing their thing in reviewing contracts. Emery’s job is to evaluate the field and find “his guy.” I understand the anxiety surrounding the coaching search in Chicago. I do.
The fact that it may take the candidate behind door No. 15 to fill the job shouldn’t be the concern. They’ll be able to repaint the door at Halas Hall and put in a jewel-encrusted No. 1 once the right guy is found.
