Irritability accompanied inevitability as John Fox stepped to the podium Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium after the Bears’ 23-10 loss to the Vikings.
It took a mere 69 seconds for Fox to step off it.
The outgoing Bears coach made a brief opening statement and then abruptly walked away after the second question about his future, which was within hours of unemployment.
A follow-up query pressing Fox whether he had clarity on his job status produced a terse response.
“Again, I’ll repeat what I just said, if you need me to,’’ Fox said. “Any other questions? All right, thank you.’’
Before giving anybody time to respond, Fox exited. A few minutes later, Mitch Trubisky sounded as sensitive as his coach telling a television reporter who asked if Fox’s message felt like a farewell that “you guys can twist it however you want.’’
Imagine how touchy Trubisky might be if the local media — present company included — hadn’t coddled him his rookie season. Whatever the case, a coach credited with changing the Bears locker-room culture leaves behind a bunch scarred by so much losing, led by a promising young quarterback who will need thicker skin and better accuracy to fulfill his potential.
From his seat in the second row of the press box, Bears general manager Ryan Pace watched his team lose for the 34th time in 48 games since he took over. On Monday, Pace will wake up on the first day of 2018 feeling like the luckiest guy in Chicago sports, spared the ax that severed the Bears’ ties with Fox. Or at least Pace should feel fortunate working for a franchise that still doesn’t know what it doesn’t know. The Bears have direction under Pace, but nobody at Halas Hall can be sure it’s not the wrong way. Who in the building owns a compass for NFL success that works?
Happy New Year, Bears fans. If only finding progress were as easy as flipping the calendar. Alas, it continues to elude the Bears, who conveniently have decided to hold Fox more responsible than Pace for entering redundant football irrelevance.
After the Bears’ season mercifully ended in their nap-inducing 11th defeat, Pace emerged as the most important employee on the payroll. The next three weeks will determine whether Pace can survive another three years running the Bears. Whether Pace should continue merits worthy discussion too easily overlooked. Whether he should receive a contract extension to align his timetable with any coach he hires borders on ridiculous, a reward for drafting a quarterback who may or may not be worth the high price.
All indications pointed to Pace kicking off this most important stretch of his career by firing Fox, perhaps as early as Sunday night after what had to be an exceedingly awkward team flight. The men were spotted talking and laughing before kickoff, suggesting Fox accepted his fate easier privately than publicly. This was Fox news hard to dispute, even for a stubborn old coach. The broader question surrounded why their consistent failure resulted in Fox losing his job and Pace preparing to search for his replacement. It’s like Fox went 14-34 with players supplied by somebody else. What really has changed since January 2015, in terms of tangible, big-picture progress attributable to Pace? The Bears have improved the defense and installed a young quarterback, the latter move carrying optimism that risks being premature. But that’s it.
In a game that marked the end of Fox’s tenure after three seasons, the Bears offense fittingly produced a day full of too many three-and-outs. In that way, the Bears did a nice job selling Pace’s point that fixing the offense rates as the next coach’s highest priority.
Even when the Bears did something worthy of skipping a pre-New Year’s Eve nap — Bryce Callahan’s trickery on a 59-yard punt return for a touchdown after coverage followed blockers to Tarik Cohen — it related to the upcoming coach search. Dave Toub, the Chiefs special-teams coordinator who established his reputation with the Bears, famously introduced a similar play back when he was scheming returns for Devin Hester. Toub deserves serious consideration but might not get it because he hardly fits the popular description of the “offensive-minded” head coach sources say Pace seeks. What a Bears thing to come away from a decisive loss to a Vikings team whose defense made it a legitimate Super Bowl contender so committed to finding an offensive guru.
Without question, the Bears need an infusion of offensive creativity, but to limit candidates to that side of the ball unnecessarily limits the scope. Look across the field: Mike Zimmer was a 58-year-old career defensive coordinator when the Vikings hired him in 2014. What the Rams have accomplished under offensive whiz-kid coach Sean McVay represents one way to revitalize a franchise, but not the only way. And the Bears should be wary of hiring a new coach based solely on what it means for Trubisky, a vital part of the future but one of 53 players still susceptible to injury and inconsistency. Find the best coach and most natural leader, period.
Pursue Patriots assistant Josh McDaniels. Approach Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, a play-calling success with three quarterbacks. Interview Toub and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio because you never know. Avoid Jeff Fisher and Mike Singletary and any other name that panders to the 1985 Bears crowd. Keep an open mind to any candidate who offers hope and change, regardless of his background.
Everybody agrees that the Bears need to find the right guy. It remains to be seen whether Pace will recognize him.
Twitter @DavidHaugh
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