A report emerged last week revealing that Chicago Bears CEO Kevin Warren blocked the possibility of the team pursuing then-Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh in January. It also seems that general manager Ryan Poles played a role in Bill Belichick’s decision to accept the head coaching job at North Carolina this week.
ESPN’s Seth Wickersham detailed how Belichick, frustrated with the NFL’s increasing bureaucracy and politics, decided to leave the league for college football. Wickersham’s report suggested that Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl-winning coach, felt alienated by the direction the league was heading and was increasingly disillusioned with its “stupidity.”
Belichick’s Thoughts on the Bears’ Head Coaching Search:
According to Wickersham, Belichick and a group of former assistants, including Matt Patricia, Michael Lombardi, and Josh McDaniels, met regularly during the season to discuss their futures in the NFL. They concluded that the Chicago Bears job was one of the most desirable in the league. However, they also believed the Bears were unlikely to pursue Belichick, anticipating that the team would hire an offensive-minded coach, likely Ben Johnson, the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator.
Wickersham wrote, “Sources with direct knowledge” indicated that the Bears were seen as a strong opportunity but would probably focus on developing their offense, potentially around quarterback Caleb Williams. Most around the league expected the Bears to hire an offensive coach, not Belichick.
Ryan Poles’ Influence and Challenges:
Belichick, despite being open to relinquishing control over personnel decisions, was unlikely to mesh well with Ryan Poles, the Bears’ general manager. Wickersham questioned whether Belichick, who has a successful track record of player evaluation, would be comfortable with Poles’ approach. Belichick has drafted iconic players like Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and Richard Seymour, so it seems unlikely he would accept working under someone whose methods he disagreed with.
Further complicating matters, Belichick was reportedly irritated by Terry Fontenot (Atlanta Falcons GM) sounding overly confident about the draft process during conversations in January, further hinting at his reluctance to work under certain front office structures.
Poles’ Job Security:
In a column this week, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune mentioned that Poles’ job security appears safe for the upcoming offseason. The consensus around the league is that Poles will likely remain in charge, primarily because the Bears are expected to hire a less assertive head coach—one who wouldn’t bring in their own personnel chief. Biggs suggested that unless a new coach with enough leverage is hired, Poles will continue to lead the team, with his position likely secure through at least 2025.
The Bears could have hired Belichick along with an experienced assistant to handle personnel decisions. However, it seems the team prefers to hire a less powerful head coach in this cycle and maintain Poles’ position, reinforcing Warren’s authority as the top decision-maker in the organization.
Belichick’s Departure from the NFL:
In the end, it’s difficult to argue with Belichick’s choice to leave the NFL given its current state. His decision reflects his frustration with the league’s direction, and the Bears’ mishandling of their coaching search, including their botched handling of Matt Eberflus’ final press conference, has done little to bolster confidence in their front office.
