Chicago Bears (Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports)
Monday morning, the Chicago Bears did the unexpected — well, half-expected at least — when they fired both head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace.
After four seasons with the Bears, Nagy was 34-33 and lost both of his playoff appearances as head coach.
The Nagy firing was an obvious one. But, firing Pace certainly came as a pleasant surprise after hearing the rumors of the Bears promoting him following this season.
Now that both Pace and Nagy are gone, most will focus on who the next head coach will be. However, the Bears may want to establish their general manager first and foremost — and maybe even President, depending on what happens with Ted Phillips.
After firing Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace, the Chicago Bears have to make a phone call to New England.
Now, it’s not what you’re thinking. No, the Bears are not going to poach Bill Belichick away from the New England Patriots. That would be ludicrous.
However, the Patriots have a pair of candidates that would be excellent general manager hires for the Bears.
First up would be Patriots’ Director of Player Personnel, Dave Ziegler. For the past nine years, Ziegler has worked under Belichick. This past year was his first season as Director of Player Personnel, but before that he worked in scouting.
Any time you can hire a guy who has spent several years working with arguably the greatest coach of all time, and amidst one of the best dynasties there ever was, that’s a pretty solid choice. That’s why, even more so than Ziegler, this next guy deserves a phone call — especially because he’s already familiar with scouting Justin Fields.
Ohio State QB Justin Fields’ second pro day is today and the Patriots are bringing the cavalry–OC Josh McDaniels, ass’t dir. of player personnel Dave Ziegler and nat’l scout Matt Groh are expected in Columbus.
Pats had exec Eliot Wolf and an area scout at Fields’ first pro day.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 14, 2021
Patriots’ front office consultant Eliot Wolf has spent almost two decades in NFL front offices, and has done it with two of the most successful franchises in the league. Aside from a two-year stint as an assistant general manager with Cleveland, Wolf has been with the Green Bay Packers (2004-2017) and Patriots (2020-present).
For the past five years, Wolf has been looked at as a potential general manager. The success he’s been around with great quarterbacks and organizations is tough to match for other GM candidates, and Wolf would be worth the hire.
Read More