The Chicago Bears are reportedly interested in ex-Denver Broncos head coach John Fox. That's good news, because Fox is reportedly interested in Chicago's open head-coaching position. Funny how things work out, right?
Forget for a second that Fox is the best available coach on the market. Try and blank out the memory of his .719 winning percentage in four seasons with the Broncos. Definitely space on the fact that he's brought two different teams to the Super Bowl.
Fox would be a great hire for the Bears for all of those reasons, not to mention his ability to mend a wounded defense. But the best thing he could possibly bring to Chicago is a fresh pair of eyes when it comes to embattled quarterback Jay Cutler.
"But here's the most important thing about Fox: He wouldn't be a hire about Jay Cutler," Steve Rosenbloom of the Chicago Tribune wrote. "Fox has no ties to Cutler. Fox would have no reason to enable the overpaid quarterback. That's huge because the Bears' next coach can't be about Cutler."
Cutler was benched by former Bears head coach Marc Trestman towards the end of the regular season amid reports that Chicago had "buyer's remorse" in regards to the $126 million contract the franchise gave him. While last season was far from Cutler's worst year from a statistical standpoint, he still threw 18 interceptions as the Bears ranked just 21st in yards per game (327.1). The team also finished 23rd in scoring offense (19.9). That's nowhere near good enough for an offense that boasts an impressive array of skill position players in Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Matt Forte and Martellus Bennett.
It's unclear what Fox's opinion of Cutler is. But should he get the job, he'll have some big decisions to make at the quarterback position.
