The Chicago Bears parted ways with head coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery on Monday. Emery's goal was simple: win quickly. As a result, some questionable moves were made to try and compete immediately. Obviously, after a 5-11 season, those moves did not pan out.
So what will the next Bears GM have on hand to work with?
"[Our talent is] not where we want to be," Chicago president Ted Phillips said, according to the Chicago Sun Times. "It's not where we want to be or we wouldn't be here [firing Emery and coach Marc Trestman].
"So we're expecting that gap, however large it is - it's hard to define that - to close and close rapidly."
ESPN and the NFL Network report that the Bears have officially requested to speak with Chiefs player personnel director Chris Ballard, Ravens assistant GM Eric DeCosta, Titans vice president of player personnel Luke Dawson and a handful of other candidates for their open GM position. Whoever gets the job will have to sort out several pending issues.
The first is to figure out how to proceed with quarterback Jay Cutler and wide receiver Brandon Marshall. Cutler signed a seven-year deal worth more than $126 million last year, and the Bears are already regretting it. While he is guaranteed $15.5 million for 2015, moving him now might be the best possible outcome for all involved.
Marshall, once the most consistent receiver in the league, struggled with several injuries this season. He also became somewhat of a distraction at times as Chicago's locker room was heavily scrutinized. Could it be time to part ways with the 30-year-old receiver?
The next series of questions a new shot caller in Chicago will have to answer is what to do with running back Matt Forte and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. Both are entering the final years of their contracts. Jeffery continued his ascension up the ranks of WRs this season by hauling in 85 catches for 1,113 yards and 10 touchdowns. Forte just became the second running back in NFL history to top 1,000 rushing yards and 100 receptions in a single season. Both will be due huge paydays after their current deals run out.
It will be very interesting to see how Chicago's search for a new GM plays out. One thing is for sure, whomever the team hires will definitely have their work cut out for them.
