Black Monday has arrived and that means pink slips for everyone! OK, maybe not everyone. But one NFL head coach who is preparing to receive his walking papers is Marc Trestman of the Chicago Bears. Note to football fans: if your head coach was used as a punch line in "30 Rock," then that's probably not a good sign.
Chicago loyalists should expect the team to fire Trestman and general manager Phil Emery sometime today. So who will replace them in the front office and on the sideline?
"If the Bears are looking for a new guy [at GM], the name that's been out there is [Kansas City Chiefs director of player personnel] Chris Ballard, who spent time with the Chicago Bears, is now in the Kansas City Chiefs front office," ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter said on "Mike & Mike." "He becomes a prime candidate to become the Bears general manager.
"If he becomes the Bears general manager...he's in Kansas City and there's a guy in Kansas City who coaches the special teams named Dave Toub, who's interviewed for head coaching jobs. I could see a Dave Toub-Chris Ballard reunion in Chicago."
Chicago is also reportedly interested in Jim Harbaugh (as is everyone else with a coaching vacancy, both at the pro and collegiate levels) and Mike Shanahan. Shanahan drafted quarterback Jay Cutler when he was with the Denver Broncos. The familiarity there may play a role in the hiring process. Before coming to Kansas City, though, Toub spent nine seasons as the special teams coach for Chicago while Ballard also has a long history with the Bears front office.
Either way, it seems clear that Chicago is looking to make a move after going just 13-19 over the last two seasons. We'll keep you updated as Black Monday continues to claim victims.
