Tag: Ted Phillips

Is it time for the Bears to clean house following brutal loss to Lions?

It feels like it’s a matter of “if” not “when” George McCaskey decides to clean house with Matt Nagy, Ryan Pace and Ted Phillips.

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If it wasn’t the national rout by the Green Bay Packers that sealed the fates of Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace, it certainly was Sunday’s embarrassing 34-30 loss to the Detroit Lions, where Chicago blew a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.

The Bears wasted their best offensive performance of the season, where the run game was the best it’s looked in two years with running backs David Montgomery and Cordarrelle Patterson leading the way with 131 total rushing yards and three touchdowns.

But, just as they’ve done so often in this now six-game losing streak, Chicago found a way to out-do itself. There was plenty of blame to go around, but a bulk of it should fall on the coaching staff — Nagy, offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano and even special teams coordinator Chris Tabor.

The Bears had a 99.1% win probability in the final five minutes of the game, which was dashed in a horrible turn of events where all three phases let this football team down and allowed the Lions to battle back and repay an old debt with a 34-30 win.

This once vaunted Chicago defense allowed a depleted Detroit offense to move easily down the field on a 96-yard scoring drive. Then, the Bears special teams failed to put their All-Pro kick returner back for the kickoff. And we all know what happened on third-and-four when Mitchell Trubisky was in his throwing motion and the ball was knocked out of his hand, which the Lions recovered on Chicago’s seven-yard line and proceeded to score the go-ahead touchdown.

Still, Chicago had a chance to win the game, and they nearly scored the game-winning touchdown. But a failed third-down conversion by receiver Allen Robinson — which needs to be made — and getting stuffed at the line of scrimmage of fourth-and-one all but sealed the Bears’ troubled fate.

At this point, it doesn’t feel like it’s a matter of “if” but a matter of “when” George McCaskey will clean house with Nagy, Pace and possibly president Ted Phillips, who needs to be completely uninvolved in football operations, especially as the Bears will likely be conducting a new general manager and head coach search.

What say you, Bears fans? Should Chicago commence with the house cleaning immediately?

VOTE!

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Matt Forte, Kyle Long wonder what it’s going to take for the Bears to fire Matt Nagy

The Bears fired Lovie Smith following a 10-win season. Matt Nagy has his team on a six-game losing streak for the first time in 18 years.

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Just when you think things can’t get worse for the Chicago Bears this season, they continue to prove everyone wrong. If you thought last week’s 41-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers was bad, Chicago officially hit rock bottom with a 34-30 loss to the Detroit Lions, where the Bears blew a 10-point lead in the final two minutes.

Bears fans and alumni alike were outraged at Chicago’s sixth straight loss following a 5-1 start. At this point, it seems like it’s not a matter of “if” the Bears will clean house with head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace, it’s a matter of “when.”

Especially considering the Bears have now lost dix straight games for the first time since 2002 — over 18 years ago.

Among those that voiced their outrage on Twitter was former Bears running back Matt Forte, who has seen more than enough of this abysmal offense and thinks both Nagy and Pace should be fired. That, and he feels bad for fans and the product both of those guys have put on the field.

Forte has seen firsthand what has gotten a head coach axed, when Lovie Smith was fired when the Bears failed to make the playoffs with a 10-6 record in 2012. Which has left Forte, like many, wondering what it’s going to take for Nagy to get fired. Although, this Lions loss might’ve just been the final blow.

After all, Smith was fired following a 10-win season while Nagy hasn’t done much outside of 2018’s 12-win season.

Even former Bears right guard Kyle Long, who played under Nagy for two seasons, wondered what it’ll take for Nagy to ultimately get the boot midseason.

Nagy and Pace’s seats — along with president Ted Phillips — have gotten hotter with each passing week, but this loss likely was the final dagger in George McCaskey’s decision to part ways with them at season’s end.

Although, it would likely serve the Bears better to cut the cord now and get ahead of finding a new general manager and head coach heading into what looks to be a rebuilding offseason.

The McCaskey’s aren’t known for firing people midseason, but you wonder if this mess is enough to make an exception.

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Is it time to clean house with Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy?

The Bears’ 41-25 beatdown by the Packers was the kind of loss where a general manager and head coach find themselves on the chopping block.

Heading into the bye week, it was clear that the futures of Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy hinged on the final six games of this season.

And following Sunday night’s embarrassing loss to the Green Bay Packers, it felt like it could be the final nail in the coffin.

After starting the season 5-1, the Bears have lost five straight games and fallen below .500 for the first time this season. But it’s not even Chicago’s sub-par record so much as it’s another squandered opportunity. The Bears were 5-1 — yes, 5-1 — through the first six weeks. What’s transpired since can only be described as a colossal collapse that has already seen the likes of several general managers and/or head coaches canned this season.

The Bears brass are likely still clinging to that 12-4 record from just two seasons ago. But this team is a far cry from that 2018 group.

And Sunday night’s brutal 41-25 loss to the Packers — on national television — was a new low. Because for all of the offense’s struggles this season — and it’s been ugly — this was a collective losing effort where it was clear that some players, notably on defense, had given up on their head coach.

Sunday night’s loss to the Packers was the kind of loss where a general manager and a head coach find themselves on the chopping block.

For those optimists, they’ll cling to the fact that the Bears are still one game out of a playoff spot — and just spots from that eighth seed. But it’s never been more clear that this isn’t a playoff team.

At this point, the best thing that could happen would be the Bears lose enough games to find themselves in a prime position in the 2021 NFL Draft, where they can start rebuilding, where someone other than Pace and Nagy will get a chance to choose another potential franchise quarterback. There’s also a fair argument to be made that Bears President and CEO Ted Phillips needs to be let go, but that’s a discussion for another article.

But what say you, Bears fans? Is it time for the team to clean house? Or does Pace and/or Nagy deserve to stay?

VOTE!

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Will fans be at Soldier Field in 2020? The Bears certainly think so.

Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips is confident that fans will be at Soldier Field this season, although it’s not a guarantee.

The NFL is planning to conduct the 2020 season without any interruptions, but amid the coronavirus pandemic, there’s no guarantee. One of the biggest challenges comes with how games will be operated, especially considering that football is a full-on contact sport and the most important thing is the safety of the players.

Teams are set to suffer substantial revenue losses this season if fans aren’t allowed at stadiums. Obviously, the most important thing is the health and safety of everyone involved — players, coaches, fans, stadium workers.

But Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips told reporters that the organization is confident that fans will be at Soldier Field this season, although it’s not a guarantee.

“We’re still extremely hopeful, confident, that we’re gonna have a season with fans,” he said, via the Sun-Times. “It’s only good business practice to look at contingencies, and if we’ve learned anything in the past three months it’s expect the unexpected… But we’re still extremely hopeful.”

If the Bears were to allow fans at Soldier Field, what would that look like? Given social distancing guidelines, it would certainly mean a reduced capacity at the stadium. But Phillips didn’t go into details about that.

While the likelihood of fans at NFL games this season feels like a pipe dream, at this point all we want is football back on our screens. Even if that means fans taking it in from the safety of their own homes.

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Chicago Bears contribute $1.920 million to coronavirus relief

The Bears are taking charge when it comes to combatting the coronavirus outbreak, contributing $1.920 million to relief efforts.

The Chicago Bears are taking charge when it comes to combatting the coronavirus outbreak. Bears Care, the team’s charity, is committing $1,920,000 to coronavirus relief efforts to help those in need throughout the state of Illinois.

The donation no doubt pays homage to the year 1920, which was when George Halas founded the Bears as the Decatur Staleys.

This isn’t the first the organization has contributed to the cause. The Bears previously donated $250,000 to the Chicago Community COVID-10 Response Fund on March 20, which continues to serve residents in need.

According to the Bears’ official website, the organization will also donate $250,000 to the Advocate Charitable Foundation’s Relief Fund for Critical Care, Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund and the University of Chicago’s Community Support Programs.

Here’s what Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips had to say:

“During this unprecedented crisis, we all need to join forces and do what we can to overcome this challenge together. At the Bears, we have committed $1,920,000 to local COVID-19 relief efforts and are encouraging fans to lend a helping hand in whatever ways possible. We will be forever grateful to the healthcare providers, first responders, grocers, sanitation workers, janitors and everyone keeping our communities healthy and safe during this time. Please continue to do your part and stay home so we can slow down the virus and save lives.”

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Bears donate $250,000 to coronavirus response fund

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Chicago Bears are donating $250,000 to the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund.

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Chicago Bears are donating $250,000 to the Chicago Community Coronavirus Response Fund.

Donations will provide increased access to emergency food and basic supplies, rent and mortgage assistance, utility assistance, direct financial assistance for household supplies, and nonprofit safety and operations assistance.

Here’s the official statement from Bears President and CEO Ted Phillips:

“Our thoughts are with everyone who has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a challenging time for all of us, but significantly more so for those who have temporarily lost their jobs or are unable to access food and essential items. With that in mind, we are beginning our support of those in need with a $250,000 donation to the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund.

“We encourage anyone who is able to provide assistance to their neighbors in need–whether it’s helping an elderly or sick community member pick up medicine or groceries, or making a financial donation–to please do so. We are extremely grateful to the healthcare providers, first responders, grocers and everyone who is putting their health at risk to continue to serve our communities. Thank you so much. You are the true heroes. Together, we will show our collective strength and resilience, and get through this unprecedented crisis.”

Fans can make a donation at www.chicagocovid19responsefund.org.

Read more about the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund.

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Bears to increase season ticket prices by nearly 4 percent in 2020

For the second consecutive year, the Chicago Bears will increase ticket prices for the upcoming 2020 season.

Die-hard fans of the Chicago Bears will have to spend a little more money next season to see their team play at Soldier Field.

In a letter addressed to season-ticket holders, Bears President and CEO Ted Phillips announced the team will be increasing season ticket prices by an average of 3.9%.

According Larry Mayer, senior writer for ChicagoBears.com, the increases will range from 1.5-5.3%. Club seats will see an increase of 3.3% on average, while non-club seats will increase by 4.3%.

This is the second straight season the team has increased ticket prices. Going into the 2019 season, the Bears raised prices by 4.1 percent on average.

Ticket price increases are relatively common in professional sports, and Phillips lays out the team’s reasoning in his letter to fans, while also sharing his disappointment in their play on the field in 2019.

“Unfortunately, our performance on the field failed to meet everyone’s expectations,” Phillips wrote. “No one was satisfied, and it is now imperative for us to thoroughly analyze what went wrong and make the necessary corrections for 2020. Our goal is to bring a World Championship back to Chicago.”

In addition to the price increase, the team confirmed dynamic ticket pricing will continue next season and preseason games will be priced based on a tier. Single-game tickets will be available to purchase following the release of the 2020 NFL schedule later this spring.

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Bears moving training camp from Bourbonnais to Halas Hall

The Bears have announced that they’re leaving Bourbonnais after 18 years of training camp and moving practices to Halas Hall starting 2020.

“Bearbonnais” is officially over for the Chicago Bears, as the team announced their plans to move their training camp practices from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais to their headquarters at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Tuesday afternoon.

The move marks the end of an era for both the Bears and their fans, as the team has called ONU home for 18 years, making the move from Platteville, WI after practicing at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville from 1984-2001.

“We will host training camp practices at Halas Hall in 2020, while maintaining a public component to many of the sessions to incorporate our loyal and passionate fans,” said Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips.

The move coincides with the recent renovations at Halas Hall that were completed in August 2019.

While the Bears will continue to hold public practices, the amount of tickets will be “limited” and crowds are not likely to reach the size of those in attendance at ONU, reaching as high as 9,000 over the last five years. Additional details will be released later this spring following the regular season schedule.

With the announcement, the Bears also thanked ONU, the village of Bourbonnais and the surrounding cities for all of their support over the years.

The Bears will hold training camp practices in late July.

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Expectation among senior staff is for Bears to compete for Super Bowl in 2020

This season’s failures aren’t enough to deter the Bears senior staff’s belief that this team will be competing for a Super Bowl next season.

The most disappointing aspect of the Bears’ 2019 season wasn’t just the 8-8 record. It was the fact that one year after notching a 12-4 record, winning the division and hosting a playoff game that they followed up that performance with a mediocre effort.

Those high expectations that followed the Bears throughout their offseason were dashed in the season opener against the Packers, where Chicago was reminded that they hadn’t accomplished anything yet.

But this season’s failures aren’t enough to deter the Bears senior staff’s belief that this team will be competing for a Super Bowl next season.

“I think we should be able to turn it around next year,” CEO Ted Phillips said. “I mean, we were 12-4 just a year ago. We had the coach of the year, the executive of the year. They haven’t lost their abilities, and we haven’t lost the talent level. We’ve just got to be able to maximize it better this coming season.”

But in order for the Bears to turn things around, they’re going to need to fix the offensive woes that plagued the team in 2019. They’ve already started with the firing of four coaches, including offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, offensive line coach Harry Hiestand and tight ends coach Kevin Gilbride.

Although there’s plenty of more work to be done, particularly developing quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, fixing an ailing run game, addressing needs at offensive line and tight end, as well as the play calling issues.

“Matt (Nagy) says he wants to know what he can do to make us better; Ryan (Pace) wants to know what he can do to make us better,” Chairman George McCaskey said. “And the same applies to me. I want to know what I can do to make us better. Is it staffing? Is it resources? Is it facilities? Do I need to ask more questions? Do I need to ask fewer questions? It’s a balancing act. You want to be involved, but you don’t want to interfere. We’ll just have to see how it plays out.”

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