How John Fox Impacts The Bears’ 2016 Quarterback Search

Oct 18, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Lions won 37-34 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Talking about scheme fits is typically the conversation regarding a quarterback prospect in any draft.  Usually it just comes down to who is the most talented and the scheme issues will be worked out later.  In truth though, one of the keys to a quarterback being drafted is also about who fits the head coach best.

Do they see things similarly?

Do they have temperaments along the same lines?

Often the most successful teams in the NFL feature rock solid relationships between the head coach and quarterback. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.  Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy.  Drew Brees and Sean Payton.  So while style, talent and background are all important, rest assured the next quarterback the Chicago Bears take will need the okay from John Fox.

The question then becomes what type of player will the 60-year old want?  Lord knows he’s had the wide range of types from Jake Delhomme to Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning.  However, they do all have one thing in common, and Fox explained that when he first took over the Bears back in January.

"When asked what he looks for in a quarterback, Fox said, “One that wins.”"

It may sound overly simplified as an answer, but it’s not a dishonest one.  Fox doesn’t care what kind of style a quarterback has.  His focus has been and continues to be winning a championship.  Whomever has the capability to give the team a chance to do that will be under center.  Each of those quarterbacks above had winning reputations when Fox found them.

Delhomme never had a losing record at Louisiana-Lafayette in college, winning two conference titles and capping it off with an upset of Texas A&M as a senior.  Then he ended up in NFL Europe where he won a World Bowl for the Frankfurt Galaxy.  From there he was scooped up by Fox and the Carolina Panthers where he compiled a 53-37 record and took them to the Super Bowl in 2003.

Tebow remains one of the winningest quarterbacks in Florida history.  From 2006 to 2009 he went 20-4 as a starter, won the BCS national championship as a junior and then the Sugar Bowl as a senior.  While not a natural passer, it didn’t stop Fox from elevating him to starter in 2011 with the Denver Broncos.  Despite often ugly stats, Tebow’s late-game magic and charisma willed the team to an 8-8 record, a division championship and upset win over Pittsburgh in the wildcard playoffs.

Manning?  Not much needs to be said.  He won three out of four bowl games at Tennessee and never had fewer than 10 wins in a season his final three years.  Then with the Indianapolis Colts he forged a Hall of Fame career, won 141 games, reached two Super Bowls and won a Lombardi trophy.  Fox helped lure him to Denver where they went 32-10 together and reached another Super Bowl.

So with all that being said, looking towards the 2016 class, which quarterback fits the profile of what John Fox would want?

Next: Looking Ahead