Are Bears Looking for New Coach?

Conventional wisdom was that Bears head coach Lovie Smith's job is secure, at least through next season, for no other reason than that the McCaskey clan wouldn't want to pay Smith and his staff while also paying a new coach and his staff. Smith has two years and $11 million remaining on his current deal. Never mind that the Bears now hold a 4-6 record in spite of adding supposed franchise QB Jay Cutler, who Ron Turner has managed to turn into the second coming of Rex Grossman, and in spite of Lovie personally taking over the defensive play calling. The media and fans alike have been imploring the Bears ownership to eat those contracts and make a coaching change. Turner is also the subject of speculation as a source has told the Sun-Times that Mike Martz has been targeted to take over the offense.

And if rumors are true, then perhaps they've finally heard the complaints long enough. Publisher of Pro Football Weekly and WSCR 670-AM football expert Hub Arkush reported that somebody high up in the Bears organization -- above GM Jerry Angelo, who probably deserves the ax as well -- was surveying options for replacements at head coach and GM. "Inquiries have been made, feelers have been put out," Arkush said concerning various coaches interest and expected compensation.

Among the names who've been previously mentioned as possibilities for the Bears job include Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren, Jon Gruden and Bill Cowher -- all previous Super Bowl winners who aren't currently working the sidelines. Shanahan, who coached Cutler in Denver (when he was a Pro Bowler) is also originally from Chicago. Cowher recently told the Buffalo Bills "thanks, but no thanks!" yet recently said that the idea of coaching the Bears would "excite him", according to an NFL Network report. So there are certainly some attractive options available should the Bears want to make some changes. Those guys might be on other team's sidelines next season if the Bears decide not to act.

So will the McCaskeys finally decide that the coaches and general manager are the problem keeping the Bears from fielding a playoff team? While the organization denies the rumors they've got feelers out on new staff, the Bears must also realize they risk alienating their fan base and permanently damaging their expensive investment at QB if they pinch pennies and sit tight. This season's already over, so let Lovie finish it out. But there can be no way that the Bears allow Lovie to continue coaching this team beyond their date with the Lions on January 3.