George McCaskey Reportedly May Seek Help From Hall Of Fame Exec
People have said for literal years now that George McCaskey isn’t the best-equipped person for the job he holds. At least when it comes to understanding the true necessities of how to build a successful football team. That said, it’s not like the team chairman is ignorant of this fact. There is a reason he sought advice from former GM Ernie Accorsi in 2015 to help with the search for a new GM and head coach. The man clearly felt he needed help. This is commendable.
It didn’t quite work out as hoped. Ryan Pace showed some promise but made some costly mistakes that kept the organization from consistent success. Now the Bears are back where they started seven years ago. McCaskey might be more experienced this time, but his expertise remains limited. So could he go looking for help again next month as he likely shakes up the power structure? Adam Jahns of The Athletic believes this is a strong possibility.
In fact, he even dropped a name that might already be in the mix.
“That said, McCaskey could always turn to outside advisers and/or a hiring firm to find his new president of football operations or general manager. Bill Polian, the former Colts president/GM and former GM of the Bills and Panthers, could be a realistic option for McCaskey to turn to this year (if he hasn’t already) for advice and assistance.”
Polian is one of the most respected NFL executives of the past 40 years. A Hall of Famer who built two AFC dynasties between Buffalo and Indianapolis, reaching six Super Bowls and winning a Lombardi trophy in 2006. He’s been connected to the Bears as far back as 2012. According to NBC Sports, the McCaskey family are big fans of his and have long held great respect for his accomplishments.
“Polian’s work has been highly regarded by the McCaskeys since his days under Ralph Wilson with the Buffalo Bills and with the Irsays in Indianapolis. Polian also directed the successful launch of the Carolina Panthers as an expansion team in 1995.”
Some people may scoff at the idea of seeking advice from him. Polian is 79-years old after all. He hasn’t run an organization since 2011. The man isn’t exactly up to date on the newest trends in the NFL. He hates analytics and believed Lamar Jackson to be a running back masquerading as a quarterback. Yet one fact remains undeniable. He understood what to look for when hiring a head coach.
Polian can help George McCaskey find the right guy
If there was one core strength of Polian’s career as an executive, it was being able to find leaders for his team. In Buffalo, he hired Marv Levy in 1986. Levy ended up in the Hall of Fame. In Indianapolis, Polian hired Tony Dungy in 2002. Dungy ended up in the Hall of Fame. He also hired guys like Jim Mora Sr. and Jim Caldwell. Both of whom had productive runs of their own. The longtime exec understood what traits to look for.
Having him in the ear of George McCaskey would certainly be better than Ted Phillips. At least Polian has credibility. Who knows. Maybe Polian will help the chairman find an actual President of Football Operations. Something this organization has sorely lacked for way too long. It wouldn’t hurt to at least get his advice on how to approach this offseason. Even improving the odds slightly is a smart thing to do.
Details should emerge in the next three weeks.
Until then, all Bears fans can do is brace themselves. McCaskey’s track record to this point doesn’t inspire confidence. Two GMs and three head coaches. All ended up failures. Now with another young quarterback in need of guidance, this might be the most crucial decision of his entire tenure. Getting it right could set the franchise up for success not seen in over three decades.