Bears’ Chaotic Start Puts Heat On New President Kevin Warren

The foundation is once again shaking at Halas Hall, thanks to the stalled development of Justin Fields and three ugly losses that have extended the Bears’ losing streak to a franchise-longest, 13 games.

Bears Chairman George McCaskey and the rest of his ownership group aren’t known for yielding to pressure from an angry fan base. But it’s possible the failure to show any incremental progress could lead to shortened tenures for general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus, both of whom are in their second seasons.

Given the team’s desire for public money to help build a new stadium in Arlington Park or elsewhere in the suburbs, this is a critical season for the franchise. It may also be worth noting that both Poles and Eberflus were hired before new team president Kevin Warren, who McCaskey has said “will serve in the primary leadership position of the franchise to help bring the next Super Bowl championship trophy home to Bears fans.”

The team’s chain of command is somewhat murky. When Poles was hired, McCaskey said the GM would report to him and not Ted Phillips, who was Warren’s predecessor as team president.

Phillips had more authority than then-GM Ryan Pace but McCaskey appeared to separate the football and business operations by saying Poles would report directly to him, not Phillips. However, when McCaskey he hired Warren to replace Phillips last January he altered that arrangement, giving the former Big Ten commissioner responsibility for both the on-field and off-field sides of the business.

McCaskey did say Poles would hold onto “complete authority” of all football decisions yet Warren is charged with determining Poles’ standing. Executives in Warren’s position often want to bring in their own picks but it has seemed his relationship with Poles got off to a strong start.

Before the Big Ten, Warren worked for the St. Louis Rams, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.

“One of the things I’ve learned is when you build a championship culture, the questions and the ideal and the thought process of who has the final say in all that really becomes irrelevant,” Warren said last January. “At the end of the day when we come out of whatever room we’re in, we have the common goal and the common goal is to bring championships here.”

Poles’ early roster decisions are not bearing fruit. Fields has not rewarded him for the faith he put in him when he traded away the first overall pick after a 3-13-1 season in 2022. Fields created some controversy last week by saying coaching decisions had caused him to play with a robotic style but the mysterious resignation of defensive coordinator Alan Williams last week figures to have a more long-lasting impact.

Eberflus hired Williams after they worked together in Indianapolis. The Bears have not revealed a specific reason behind his departure but national reports have cited inappropriate behavior serious enough to be an issue for the team’s HR department.

The defense has not improved its play despite an influx of free agents with long-term contracts, with the Bears managing only one sack during the 0-3 start. Poles passed on impact defensive tackle Jalen Carter to select offensive tackle Darnell Wright with his first pick in the draft last April.

The Bears are entering a soft stretch in their schedule that could provide a chance for Fields and the defense to regroup. They play Denver (0-3), Minnesota (0-3), Las Vegas (1-2), the Los Angeles Chargers (1-2), New Orleans (2-1) and Carolina (0-3) in their next six games.

Poles and Eberflus could bench Fields at some point to take a look at undrafted quarterback Tyson Bagent. If the Bears continue to lose, they could once again be in a position to draft a top quarterback after passing on Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson last April.

But will Poles and Eberflus still have the trust of Warren when it is time to once again look to the future?