Report: Kevin Warren to Offer Insights on Bears Quarterback and Coaching Situation

Kevin Warren to weigh in on Bears quarterback, coaching dilemma: report originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

Not to belittle Ted Phillips, but it seems that the new Bears CEO/President, Kevin Warren, has been given authority over football operations – something Phillips never truly had.

The Athletic’s Diana Russini recently reported on the structure of the Bears, drawing from her own knowledge.

“In terms of power and control, Kevin Warren has been brought in,” Russini shared on The Herd. “He has really started taking charge in Chicago. Hired in January but starting work in April. He’s using this time to assess everything – the quarterback position, the coaching staff – and make objective decisions about the future of the Chicago Bears organization.

“Based on tracking this story and having ongoing conversations, I believe Chicago will not only part ways with their head coach, but they will also re-enter the quarterback market.”

As a reminder, Warren was hired by the Bears in January and began work in April. Before his arrival, general manager Ryan Poles reported to chairman George McCaskey, not then CEO/President Phillips.

However, when Warren was hired, McCaskey relinquished power back to the president. Now, Poles reports to Warren, who oversees not only the Bears’ future stadium projects but also football operations, according to Russini’s reports.

Of course, Poles and McCaskey both have influence on major team decisions, such as whether to retain head coach Matt Eberflus or to keep Justin Fields or seek a new quarterback.

But, according to Russini’s report, it seems that Warren is the one in charge.

It’s unclear what Russini meant by Warren making an “unemotional decision” regarding the Bears organization. Is she alluding to a past disagreement between Warren and Fields over the continuation of the Big Ten football season during the COVID-19 pandemic?

That seems unlikely, as it is known that the two reconciled and moved on. Additionally, Warren attended Fields’ graduation from Ohio State University in May, suggesting no lingering animosity.

Regardless, Warren’s purported authority over the Bears organization alters the landscape. Poles has been a staunch supporter of Eberflus, but what is Warren’s opinion of him? Poles also stood by Fields as the quarterback this season, opting not to select a new one. Does Warren want a change at quarterback?

Russini predicts that the Bears will move on from both Eberflus and Fields. This would result in the Bears hiring their third head coach in just four years and likely trading Fields to another team. Are these the right moves for the organization?

That is the question for Kevin Warren to answer.

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