The Chicago Bears made a pair of firings on Wednesday that should have a major effect on if the team holds on to Justin Fields or drafts USC star Caleb Williams.
The Bears are in the early days of what will be an interesting offseason for the franchise. The team had a strong finish to the season but the 7-10 group still needs to make a slew of adjustments to the roster for next season. The most important decision will be on who is their starting quarterback in 2024.
Related: How Justin Fields convinced the Chicago Bears to choose Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick in April
Chicago passed on drafting a quarterback with their top pick in last year’s draft on a quarterback due to a belief that Justin Fields was going to evolve into their franchise QB. However, he delivered mixed results in 2023 and the organization has a tough decision again since they will have the No. 1 overall selection in April for a second straight year — via their 2023 trade with the Carolina Panthers.
Chicago Bears fire offensive coordinator and QB coach
While it is unclear at this time which way the organization is leaning, they made some major decisions about the future of their offense on Wednesday. NFL Media league insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported that the team had officially fired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and QB coach Andrew Janocko.
The moves seem to confirm that head coach Matt Eberflus will be back in 2024, and the two offensive assistants will take the heat for the unacceptable lack of major development in Fields and the offense this season.
Related: 4 offseason moves the Chicago Bears should make in 2024, including Justin Fields’ decision
Who the front office hires to replace the two coaches could be a huge hint on what the franchise will do at QB next season. Fields is a dual-threat QB who is at his best when he is using his legs. A new offensive coordinator with an approach geared to that style of play could mean Fields will be back under center in 2024.
However, a new OC that may prefer a pass-heavy style could indicate the organization will use their top pick on a new QB in April, and that likely would be 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams.