Chicago Bears: Will Ryan Pace Seek Out His Sean Payton?

Up to this point GM Ryan Pace has operated with a clear objective. He wants the Chicago Bears to be the New Orleans Saints of the north.

This shouldn’t come across as any surprise. Pace spent 14 years with that organization as a scout and personnel director. He watched his mentor Mickey Loomis build them from perennial cellar dweller into one of the most memorable Super Bowl champions of the past decade. The blueprint is right there and Pace has set about following it. Look across the roster and the similarities are hard to miss. A talented and multifaceted offense built around a charismatic, accurate quarterback. A fast, aggressive and opportunistic defense.

The pieces are coming together and excitement continue to build in Chicago. One sticking point that remains up in the air is the head coaching position. A furious debate continues to rage among the fans and media. John Fox is once again living up to his reputation as a team builder, but many of the qualities that ended up getting him fired twice before are also present. He’s still highly conservative, doesn’t get disciplined play from his players and has a history of injury problems that tend to follow his teams.

Question is will Pace drop Fox to go get his Sean Payton?

Truth be told the Bears look like they’re one final piece away from becoming the spitting image of the Saints. Finding a young, creative offensive mind to become head coach. That’s what Sean Payton was when he took over in 2006. His combination with Drew Brees became one of the most prolific in NFL history and instantly turned the fortunes of the entire franchise around. It’s hard not to think Pace might have designs on a similar move. He’s got his quarterback. Fox is 62-years old. The timing seems right.

So that begs the question, if the move happens who will be targeted? Well to answer that one must know the criteria. What were the Saints getting 11 years ago when they hired Payton. Let’s review the accomplishments.

• Played quarterback in college and as an NFL replacement player in 1987 (Chicago Bears)
• Broke into the league as a quarterbacks coach in 1997 (Philadelphia Eagles)
• Became offensive coordinator in 1999. Went to Super Bowl in 2000 (New York Giants)
• Served as assistant head coach under Bill Parcells from 2003 to 2005 (Dallas Cowboys)
• Hired as head coach in 2006 at the age of 43

So what do we know? Payton is a former quarterback. He coached the position extensively and had five years of experience as an offensive coordinator (had two years in college with Miami of OH). During that run he tasted success but never fully achieved it. He served under a head coach who ended up in the Hall of Fame. By the time he was hired he was young but heavily experienced. So is there anybody around the league who matches this profile?

Like it or not, Frank Reich might be the target

Of all the notable names expected to be available in 2018, none fit the Payton model like Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich. He is a former quarterback who had success at Maryland and then as a backup in Buffalo. Most remember him for his iconic 32-point comeback in the 1992 playoffs against Houston. He broke into coaching as a quarterbacks coach for the Colts. After a stint in Arizona he got his first offensive coordinator job in San Diego with the Chargers. Two years later he was hired for the same position in Philadelphia.

He got two Pro Bowl-caliber years out of Philip Rivers and has since helped turn Carson Wentz into an MVP favorite for the Eagles. There is one sticking point with him. Payton was 43 when hired by New Orleans. Reich turns 56 in December. Reich will have to convince Pace that he not only can provide good coaching to Trubisky, but also longevity despite his somewhat advanced age.