Chicago Bears fans finally got what they wanted. General manager Jerry Angelo is gone and offensive coördinator Mike Martz has resigned. The two men most directly responsible for the aches and pains of Jay Cutler are out. So what now?
Chicago Bears can finally pick top talent managers including Bill Polian
One major knock on the Chicago Bears organization is their inability to evolve offensively. Ever since the 1940s, it's been all about great running games. Now the team possesses their first real quarterback in decades and instead of wagering their future with him they nearly destroyed it. Jerry Angelo failed in three seasons to put any semblance of offensive talent around Cutler while coördinator Mike Martz got him, and every other quarterback on the roster sacked 105 times in two seasons. For the first time in ten years, Chicago has a real opportunity to put their powerful sports market to work in the world of NFL offense. The biggest key is finding a man who can actually draft talented players. Among top candidates is the obvious choice of former Indianapolis Colts vice chairman Bill Polian. Aside from a Super Bowl ring as proof, Polian has overseen reviving three struggling franchises in his career and gotten them to a joint six Super Bowl appearances. Need one say more?
Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers have the blueprints to show the way
The proof is in the pudding, as the saying goes. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers have reached the playoffs eight and nine times since the year 2000. Pittsburgh won two championships with two different head coaches. The Packers followed their own title run last season with a 15-1 record. Offensive competence has plagued the Chicago Bears during that time span. Despite four division titles and a Super Bowl appearance, Angelo couldn't hold a candle to the draft capabilities those two teams enjoy. His lone celebrated move outside of free agent signings was the bold trade with the Denver Broncos for Cutler three years ago. Then he promptly fails to give the quarterback any receivers or a competent offensive line. There is no hiding that failure.
Lovie Smith better stay open-minded or Cutler will alienate him too
Regardless of who arrives in the Windy City to replace Angelo, the fate of the franchise rests with how head coach Lovie Smith can regain Cutler's trust. He tried diligently to convince Martz that running the football could prevent sacks but the fact remains that Smith has lost his credibility with Bears fans. That faith has transitioned to Jay, given the team went 7-3 with him and 1-6 without him. People will wonder if Lovie can survive a new general manager. They also wonder if Cutler can survive his third new offensive coordinator in four years.
No matter the speculation, Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears are at least moving in a better direction without Jerry Angelo or Mike Martz.
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