Tag: George McCaskey

Bears don’t anticipate retractable roof for enclosed Arlington Heights stadium

So long, Bear weather. The organization plans on an enclosed stadium (with no retractable roof) for its Arlington Heights property.

The Bears held a community meeting regarding the proposed Arlington Heights stadium on Thursday, where chairman George McCaskey, president/CEO Ted Phillips, senior vice president of marketing Scott Hagel, and senior vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion Tanesha Wade all spoke.

While they didn’t reveal specifics about the stadium, one thing they did discuss is whether the stadium will be enclosed or open.

So long, Bear weather. The organization plans on an enclosed stadium for its Arlington Heights property. They did research on the potential of a retractable roof, but Phillips said the costs are “prohibitive” and “the return isn’t there.”

Phillips explained why they want an enclosed stadium rather than an open one like Soldier Field. And his answer won’t surprise you in the slightest.

“It hopefully can attract major events like the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, concerts, Final Four,” Phillips said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “We don’t have a facility like that now.”

Phillips specifically referenced U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota as an example of an enclosed stadium that makes you feel like you’re outside.

The Bears are scheduled to close on the Arlington Park property in late 2022 or early 2023.

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Bears fans rejoice after hearing president/CEO Ted Phillips will retire at season’s end

A new era is coming for the Chicago Bears and fans are over the moon about it.

A new era is coming for the Chicago Bears and fans are over the moon about it. The Athletic’s Dan Pompei is reporting Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips will retire following the 2022 NFL season. Phillips has been with the organization since 1983, working his way up to become president and CEO in 1999 and has held that title ever since.

According to Pompei, Phillips made the decision to retire last fall, citing the COVID-19 pandemic made him reflect on his life and priorities. The 65-year old will stay on until February, 2023.

Under Phillips, the Bears haven’t had the sustained success they were once used to seeing back in the 1980s. Since 1999, they have made the postseason just six times, winning three playoff games and no Super Bowl championships. From a business standpoint, however, Phillips made his mark by overseeing the renovations at Soldier Field in the early 2000s. The major knock against him, however, is that his business background didn’t lend itself to making football decisions as the team president. That was already being adjusted after yet another disappointing season led to the firings of Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy earlier this year.

Phillips’ role had changed this past offseason when chairman George McCaskey announced new general manager Ryan Poles would report to him and not the team president. Now, the front office will see even more of a shakeup come February.

The news of Phillips’ impending retirement sent shockwaves on social media, but Bears fans appear to be united in their happiness as real change is finally coming to Halas Hall.

Bear Necessities: George McCaskey evaluates Ryan Poles, Matt Eberflus so far

Bears Chairman George McCaskey likes what he’s seen so far from the new regime.

This is our online morning newsletter, Bear Necessities — offseason edition. Subscribe to get the latest Bears news delivered to your mailbox every day.

We’re still early on into the Ryan Poles-Matt Eberflus era — it’s only April — but Bears Chairman George McCaskey likes what he’s seen so far from the new regime.

“I’m very impressed with how both Ryan and Matt have hit the ground running, getting us off to a good start in 2022,” McCaskey said at the NFL owners meetings. “I’m especially impressed with Ryan’s demeanor. Very self-possessed, very confident. Patient. Disciplined.”

Poles hasn’t made a splash so far in free agency, but he’s carefully crafted a roster where he hasn’t had to overspend and added some potential contributors to one-year prove-it deals. It’s the kind of low-risk, high-reward you’d expect from the first-year GM.

As for what McCaskey is looking for in Year 1 from Poles and Eberflus, he obviously mentioned his “goal is to win a Super Bowl” mantra before sharing a more realistic goal.

“What we’re looking for is progress,” McCaskey said. “How are they putting the team together? How are they working together? Are we moving forward? Are we doing the right things? Are we doing them in the right way?”

Poles and Eberflus aren’t exactly in an ideal situation following the previous regime of Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy. Poles has had to clean up Pace’s mess with the roster, although Eberflus is inheriting a team with some key pieces in Justin Fields, Roquan Smith, Darnell Mooney and Jaylon Johnson.

While it’s important to make progress, it’s hard to imagine this Bears team doing much in 2022 as Poles is rebuilding the team from the ground up — with the exception of those key pieces. But it’ll be easier to mark progress from Year 1 to as early as Year 3.

Bears Wire Podcast: Why we’re already impressed with Ryan Poles, Matt Eberflus

In our latest episode of our Bears Wire podcast, we discuss our first impressions of GM Ryan Poles and HC Matt Eberflus.

The Chicago Bears have found their new general manager in Ryan Poles and head coach in Matt Eberflus, which garnered plenty of jokes among fans as, yes, there is indeed another Ryan and Matt in charge.

But aside from the fact that they share names with their predecessors, Poles and Eberflus are nothing like Pace and Nagy. And it took one press conference for that belief to settle in.

Whether it was Poles directly addressing a question or Eberflus focusing on the importance of serving as a head coach rather than a play caller, their introductory press conference was a breath of fresh air.

Poles and Eberflus both shared their united vision for the Bears moving forward, which included building a roster, establishing a winning culture, an emphasis on fixing the weaknesses and the development of franchise players.

Granted, winning a press conference isn’t going to determine the outcome of this franchise moving forward. But it does set the tone for what we can expect from the new regime moving forward. And, at least for right now, it’s optimism abound.

With the Bears’ offseason in full swing, host Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary) and myself (@AlyssaBarbieri) are discussing the introduction of Poles and Eberflus and our first impressions from their press conference.

You can listen to the latest episode below:

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George McCaskey spotted picking up Bears GM favorite Ryan Poles at the airport

Bears chairman George McCaskey may have just secured his team’s new GM.

They say you know it’s true love when they pick you up from the airport. If that’s the case, Chicago Bears chairman George McCaskey may have just secured his team’s new general manager.

McCaskey was spotted picking up Kansas City Chiefs executive director of player personnel Ryan Poles at O’Hare International Airport late Monday evening. A fan posted a brief video of McCaskey, donned in Bears gear from head to toe, walking with Poles as they exited the airport.

On Monday, it was reported that Poles, along with Tennessee Titans director of player personnel Monti Ossenfort, and New England Patriots senior consultant Eliot Wolf, were finalists for the vacant GM job. Other names could still be in play, such as Indianapolis Colts director of college scouting Morocco Brown, but it appears as if the Bears have zeroed in one those three, with Poles potentially being the frontrunner.

Poles has held a number of roles with the Chiefs dating back to the late 2000s. He rose through the organization under multiple GMs and is highly thought of around the league as he’s helped turn the Chiefs into a perennial title contender. He spent the first part of his career in scouting before moving into player personnel. Poles is also considered a finalist for the Minnesota Vikings vacant GM job as well.

The fact the Bears chairman personally met Poles at one of the busiest airports in the world doesn’t necessarily guarantee the job is his, but it’s definitely a good sign and could mean this search is coming to an end sooner rather than later. We’ll see if he winds up going back to the airport or if he’s here to stay.

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Bears fans starting to panic about GM, head coach search

The Bears already have head coach finalists before hiring a GM. And fans aren’t taking it well.

The Bears appear to be nearing the end of their search for a new general manager and head coach, but the process itself hasn’t been an encouraging one.

Chicago has requested second interviews to three head coach candidates at this time — Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and former Lions/Colts head coach Jim Caldwell.

As you can imagine, Bears fans aren’t taking it well.

A big part of that has to do with a rather uninspiring list of finalists for head coach — especially given the final four teams in Super Bowl contention are offensive minds. But it’s the fact that Chicago already has a finalist list for head coach before they’ve even hired a GM that has really irked the fanbase.

After all, any respectable organization knows the GM should be in place first. But this is the Bears.

Bears Wire Podcast: Ownership continues to be Chicago’s biggest problem

We discuss Pace and Nagy’s firings, the problem with ownership and the start of the Bears’ head coach and GM search.

It was a big week for the Chicago Bears after firing both head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace. The organization, frustrated with the lack of production, began their head coach and GM searches this week.

While the Bears have cast a pretty wide net of candidates on the head coach and GM side of things, fans are having a difficult time having hope that Chairman George McCaskey will get it right this time. Even with the help of Hall of Fame executive Bill Polian.

You have to give credit to McCaskey for making the decision to part ways with both Nagy and Pace, as many believed Pace could stick around for his third head coach hire. But that’s where the positivity ends.

McCaskey spent an entire hour on Monday telling fans he’s not a football evaluator and asking them to have hope that he’ll get it right. McCaskey will be joined by Polian, President Ted Phillips (why?), VP of Player Engagement Lamar ‘Soup’ Campbell and Senior VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Tanesha Wade in his search.

But this entire week has been a reminder that, while Nagy and Pace were part of the problem, ownership remains the biggest issue with this franchise. And with this hiring process mirroring 2015 — substitute Polian for Ernie Accorsi — it’s a reminder that nothing has changed.

As the Bears prepare for an important offseason, host Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary) and myself (@AlyssaBarbieri) are discussing Pace and Nagy’s firings, the problem with ownership and the start of the Bears’ head coach and GM search.

You can listen to this season’s final episode below:

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Bear Necessities: The Morning After…Matt Nagy, Ryan Pace firings and the mess that followed

Our Bears Wire staff is sharing their immediate reactions to Nagy and Pace’s firings, as well as the mess that ensued in the aftermath.

This is our online morning newsletter, Bear Necessities. Subscribe to get the latest Bears news delivered to your mailbox every day.

The Chicago Bears cleaned house firing both head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace on Monday, which leaves two gaping holes in the front office.

It was certainly an eventful day from start to finish, where Bears fans celebrated the effort for change (in firing Nagy and Pace) and then came back down to Earth after Chairman George McCaskey opened his mouth for the one and only time this year.

There was plenty to digest from Monday’s saga. Our Bears Wire staff is sharing their immediate reactions to Nagy and Pace’s firings, as well as the mess that ensued in the aftermath.

Most embarrassing moments from Bears Chairman George McCaskey’s press conference

From insulting Olin Kreutz to George McCaskey’s mom being ‘very, very disappointed,’ the most embarrassing moments from McCaskey’s presser.

The Chicago Bears fired head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace on Monday morning, which left Bears fans feeling uncharacteristically hopeful that things might actually change.

But much like Nagy’s second-half collapses, Monday went from great to hopeless once Chairman George McCaskey took center stage later that afternoon.

McCaskey met the Chicago media for roughly an hour, where he addressed everything from Nagy and Pace’s firings to the search efforts for a new head coach and GM. But with McCaskey, even a routine end-of-year press conference always seems to develop into an absolute disaster.

While many didn’t think it could get worse than last year’s press conference, it’s right up there with it.

Here’s a look at some of the most embarrassing moments from McCaskey (and Phillips) during their press conference:

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Bill Polian will assist Bears as they begin GM, head coaching search

Remember the guy who thought Lamar Jackson should be converted to a WR? He’s now helping the Bears find their next head coach and GM.

The Chicago Bears fired head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace on Monday, which left Bears fans with some hope that perhaps things might actually change for the better.

Unfortunately, that didn’t last.

Remember the guy who thought Lamar Jackson should be converted to a wide receiver? He’s now in charge with spearheading the search for Chicago’s next head coach and GM.

Bears Chairman George McCaskey announced that Hall of Fame executive Bill Polian will help him conduct the search for the team’s next head coach and GM.

And, yes, President/CEO Ted Phillips will also be part of those searches, although he is no longer in charge of football operations.

There’s an eerie sense of deja vu as this situation is reminiscent of 2015, when the Bears consulted Ernie Acorsi to help in their head coach and GM search after firing Marc Trestman and Phil Emery. That searched ended with Pace and John Fox, and we saw how well that went.

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