For those Bears fans hoping for sweeping change in Chicago, you were probably pretty happy this morning.
The Chicago Bears have decided to part ways with general manager Phil Emery, head coach Marc Trestman, and offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer.
Kromer should have been fired a few weeks ago, so his departure is not surprising at all. Trestman managed an overall record of 13-19 in his two seasons and worse yet had the team heading in the wrong direction, following a decent 8-8 season in 2013 with a regression-filled 5-11 season in 2014. Trestman greatest mistake was notably losing the team entirely amid dysfuction, for many different reasons dragged on throughout the season which we won’t rehash here. Emery did have some highlights during his three year tenure as general manager, but ultimately his hiring of Trestman over a now successful Bruce Arians in Arizona and offering quarterback Jay Cutler a $54 million guaranteed contract which backfired miserably in 2014 would be his undoing.
The other coach who has been under fire during Trestman’s reign is defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, but as of this writing a decision hasn’t been made regarding his future with the team. He would likely be let go as well, but perhaps Bears management saw enough in him to allow the next regime to decide his fate, albeit a demotion to a position coach if Tucker elects to take his chances. That same sentiment would likely extend to the remaining position coaches not directly fired, who are under contract but at the same time probably allowed to cover themselves and secure work elsewhere if they can at no penalty from the Bears.