Chisoxfn

Just playing devil(s) advocate here. And I have no idea whether Poles / Warren did or didn't talk to anyone. But do you really think if they did - they would say it in a press conference right now. Other than check a box for the fans, that does NOTHING worthwhile for the franchise. It undermines Eberflus and is a bad look too for any coach who maybe had a back line convo. If the Bears talked to Harbaugh and found out he wasn't interested or was too expensive - we won't know that for a while when someone eventually leaks it. But it won't come from Poles or Warren. And they very well might have done nothing - but lets not act like Poles doesn't know a ton of people. All of these people are football people so they are having convo(s) all the time and know people all over the league. It's a small league. It's like at work - I know everyone across our different business units that do similar roles as me and as members of my team. When I have an opening or make a change, I can do it without talking to anyone at times - cause I already know or have an idea (and say - hey I'm going outside cause I don't like my internal options) or hey I am going to post inside and I already have an idea that this person is a great fit.

Warren is 5 times more credible a speaker than Ted was. I will say that. Warren was the best of the 3 on stage - not saying he said a ton, but from a statement perspective, his was the strongest and it's clear he has perspective.

From a leverage perspective - I walk away from this thinking it is 60/40 they stick with Fields, which might have been strategic. Is going to force a team wanting #1 to blow them away and also force a team interested in Fields to call them with a pretty strong offer. But I get a sense from Poles of - I want to build a really good football team and he didn't seem as concerned with QB as maybe Ryan Pace was. He seems like - I'll build a really good team and keep doing it and will figure out QB, whether Fields or someone else. Don't get the sense that it has to be with #1 pick.

I heard a few things on this: Braxton is a starting LT Ryan Poles things pretty highly of Justin Fields Note: On the Fields part, I may be wrong, but on the Jones part - I think Poles is proud of hitting on him and he isn't taking an LT in the top 10 this year.

There we go - Flus talked about Fields. Exactly what I expected - both Flus and Poles basically said nothing on Fields, which strategically is right thing.

I zoned out for a second - did Flus mention Justin Fields? I'm actually surprised right now just how much we are hearing from Flus right now (and how short Poles was).

Their running backs coach is also out and the assistant TE coach. I think I'm confused? They basically got rid of all the major offensive coaches with two exceptions (TE coach and Oline coach)....presuming because feedback was very positive on them, so they are retaining them and will allow the new OC to make a decision. I don't see anything wrong with that.

The guy has more energy than a typical 40 year old.

Wasn't Reich OC when Wentz was actually good and I thought he was effective in San Diego as well. With Vet QB's he did decent and with Colts he was balancing both - but I would think going fully back into a role where he is back to living and breathing offensive scheme and game planning, he would thrive. He also has so many connections that I think he could lure a really good candidate to be a QB coach.

So he's semi retiring. I wonder how firm that is.

I agree. We all know if I was in charge - we would be all in on Harbaugh and if that didn't work out, would have pivoted quickly to Beli / Vrabel. The end.

Wow - Pete Carrol available.

I'm not going to lie - we all know my preference would have been to hire Harbaugh or Vrabel. But if we end up with Flus and Reich....that is a pretty respectable. Sexy - no - but those are two good coaches. Add a Leslie Frazier or something as a DC (making up a name) and I'd really like that staff and reality is you'd have a staff of guys where none of the main guys are headed to a HC gig anytime soon.

I'll say this - the offensive coaches they kept, were the ones I would have kept around (or at least kept until the new OC could come in and decide they were a fit). I felt like Kmet really improved and the line despite an awful final game, I saw solid growth from the young players in the season. I will note and double down on - Braxton Jones was a great find for a late round. But he's just okay, I'm done with having okay at the tackle positions. If they have a high grade one on of the LT's and they are there with the Bears 2nd 1st round pick - you got to take them and just lock down the position for the next decade.

It seems like a no-brainer. I get that it isn't sexy, but it kind of just works. And he probably has the best track record of any OC the Bears would have had in my entire life (sans Mike Martz). Which Martz system actually worked pretty well - Bears were crushing it until Cutler got hurt (other than we traded Greg Olsen because of Martz).

Ultimately I think that is more important if you are drafting a QB. If you stick with Fields than I am less concerned with whether the Bears are committed to Flus for another year or 3 years (although I get the point that it could impact your OC - but I think you can get Roman even with that lack of committment).

The one thing I will say is - a number of young players developed under Flus on the defense. That is worth something. I'm not saying it overcomes all the other things you say, but it is worth something. And it is pretty clear his defensive players respect him, they may not always agree with all his calls, but they respect him. Offensive side - even there there seems to be some solid respect for the guy. I still go back to - the glass is half full - because trading out and sticking with Fields isn't a disaster and hitting reset, even if it is with Flus, a #1 pick, and a new OC, is also not a disaster given the draft capital the team has and the nucleus it has started to build. I think either scenario - unless you draft an absolute massive bust at QB (say a Tim Couch / Jamarcus Russel) - continues to have the Bears trending up (as long as you draft half decent - and there is nothing in the past 2 years from Poles draft that tells me he can't draft well).

I could be wrong - but I think Klingsbury is awful, so he is the worse on that entire list.

I disagree with this. He has positioned this team with draft capital, cap space, and ascending young DB's and what looks like a really good RT in Wright. So he's made some really good moves over the past 12 months - how he goes forward is important, he can have some misses, all GM's do, but he'll have to have some big hits too.

I do tend to think sitting and learning play(s) a part. Also, who you are sitting and learning with is a factor. Watching and learning from a 15 year veteran who is a multiple time MVP winner/all pro is quite different than sitting and learning from a Mike Glennon. The reality is Andy Dalton was not a bad sign for a sit and learn from guy - but he got hurt (or something like that which pushed Fields into the spotlight too soon). I do truly believe hindsight 20/20, Nagy was right about 1 thing, Fields wasn't ready and he should have sat a lot longer.

If they hire Reich, I think that is a pretty respectable OC hire. I tend to agree with you - I would rather make sure we move on from QB than HC if we could only pick one. But if the Bears plan was really continuing continuity and build up more and more assets, I suppose they could hire a Greg Roman, trade down for a haul, draft more linemen and wideouts, and design an offense to suit Fields. If it doesn't work - you have a future 1st or two and an even better team when you look to upgrade QB a year from now (albeit you have no idea what the draft class looks like and highly unlikely you have the #1 pick).

I would need one more 1st rounder and Bijan.

I double agree to this. I think the tell tale sign will be who do they hire. If they hire Roman, maybe they are sticking with Field(s) one more season and than I would say the clock is really one year to get it right with Fields (and continue stockpiling assets and building up the rest of the team). If they hire a Thomas Brown of the Panthers (not sure why everyone raves about him - but he's young and up and coming) or a Frank Reich - than I presume it means you are going to draft a QB at #1 - and at that point, I think you have to be committed to stomaching that Flus and OC will be here for 2 years (barring some massive off the field incident).

Getsy and Janocko gone

Dabearsblog said flus back, new offensive staff and use of #1 pick on qb. I can’t argue with any of that - other than with Vrabel, Beli and Harbaugh I’d rather swing for the fences on any of them.