Chicago Bears: Ron Rivera could be hired to bring back glory days

The Chicago Bears announced a long list of candidates to fill their head coaching vacancy. Then there was another name added that is familiar to fans. Ron Rivera is a proven head coach with success who also has ties to the team’s glory days.

Well, it has only been a week since the season ended and the Chicago Bears search for a new head coach has already been eventful. They have a list that is well into the double digits and have already interviewed more than a handful of candidates. Those interviews included Ben Johnson, the top candidate in this cycle.

There was another name that added more intrigue. The Chicago Bears are interested in interviewing Ron Rivera. Rivera served as head coach of the Carolina Panthers and the Washington Commanders. He is a two-time Coach of the Year and led the Panthers to the Super Bowl in the 2015 season.

Rivera is also tied closely to the Chicago Bears. He was the team’s second-round pick in 1984 and played for nine seasons. He was a member of the famed 1985 team that lost just one game all season and bulldozed its way to the Super Bowl win, allowing just 10 point on their entire championship run.

Additionally, Rivera got his coaching start with the Chicago Bears. He was the team’s defensive coordinator from 2004-2006, working under Lovie Smith.

Things have been rough for the Chicago Bears over the past several decades. Winning has been scarce and the frustrations have been high. The powers-that-be, including Chairman of the Board George McCaskey, CEO Kevin Warren, and GM Ryan Poles hope that the next head coach brings back the glory days of winning Chicago Bears football.

Having someone who was involved with most of the franchise’s previous winning days, Ron Rivera could have an advantage. We know how much the Bears’ brass is still enamored with the 1985 Chicago Bears. Brining in someone who was on that team and was involved in the team’s only other Super Bowl appearance (2006) as well, the front office may feel he could bring back excitement.

One of the negatives about the search is that some candidates may feel hesitant to enter into the dysfunctional ways of the Chicago Bears. The team is much better than what their 5-12 record showed. They were in most of the games and with better coaching they could have had at least 10 wins.

The Bears had late-game losses in which bad decisions helped cost them. This was a reason head coach Matt Eberflus was fired in the middle of the season. One might think that having a quality quarterback like Caleb Williams and a quality defense when healthy would be attractive to any candidate.

However, the way the front office has handled players and coaches may give candidates pause. Despite being an attractive job, some may feel that going to another franchise that is not as good but with better executives could give them a better shot at turning things around quicker than in Chicago.

Rivera is used to dealing with the Chicago Bears way. Also, he is used to dealing with difficult front offices. The ownership in both Carolina and Washington were very dysfunctional. Still, he found a way to win until his time with each franchise came to an end.

The Chicago Bears could hope that the hiring of Rivera brings back memories of the hiring of another former player who had great success — Mike Ditka. Ditka is a legend in Chicago and the McCaskeys could want to do what Papa Bear George Halas did.

Despite being a defensive-minded coach, Rivera could bring in a good offensive coordinator to bring in a good offensive system. Just look at the Detroit Lions. Dan Campbell is not much of an X’s and O’s man on offense. However, he hired Johnson. Johnson has done a fabulous job as OC.

That freed up Campbell to change the culture around the Lions. He did a fantastic job of doing that. He has Detroit poised to make a Super Bowl run.

Rivera could do the same with the Bears. The franchise has said that the next head coach should be a “leader of men” who could change the culture in Chicago. Rivera, with his experience of winning with the franchise, could do that. Furthermore, he could put the final tweaks on the defense to turn it into a dominating force again.

Hiring Rivera would be controversial

Of course, being the Chicago Bears, whatever move made would bring in a lot of happiness as well as a lot of negativity. The vast majority of fans want Johnson to be the next head coach. Anyone but him would be a disappointment. Also, having a defensive-minded coach is not what they want.

Rivera was a late entry announcement. When the team fired Eberflus Rivera’s name was not a name many thought of. Many fans feel that the Bears could want to hire him to mitigate losing out on Johnson.

The fact that Rivera will had a face-to-face interview while Johnson had a Zoom interview may make many feel that Johnson is becoming a long shot as each day passes. Yes, the fact that Detroit is in the playoffs may be a factor. However, the Lions were in a bye and the Bears could have had him fly in, do the face-to-face interview, and then have him return the same day.

Having a face-to-face interview instead of over Zoom is huge. Rivera had a better chance to make a big impression on the bosses. Being in person gives off a different vibe that does not happen over a computer screen. Given that the McCaskeys already have a good impression of him gives Rivera an advantage.

Why Rivera is a good fit with the Bears

Rivera also had an interview with the New York Jets so he is getting some attention. However, being a Chicago Bears guy gives him a distinct advantage. Some may question his hiring but he is a great fit. Here are some reasons why Rivera could be a great hire:

1. In addition to knowing the franchise, Rivera also understands what the fans want. He understands what stirs them and will do what he can to keep them involved. He knows how to communicate with the fans. That has been a problem with the last several coaches the team hired.
2. Do you want a Chicago Bears “lifer” to lead the team? Well, Rivera learned under Ditka, Buddy Ryan, and Smith. That is the ultimate Chicago Bears trio of coaching legends.
3. While many want an offensive mind, remember that Rivera had a hand in the development of a quarterback who was taken number one in the draft, just like Williams. That was Cam Newton, who ended up being the MVP in 2015.
4. Plyers who played under Rivera have by and large loved him. He was a popular figure wherever he went and was able to motivate his players. Additionally, even while working with the debauchery that happened in Washington, Rivera did not have any scandals.
5. He is a proven winner, having had success on the field and as a coach with three different teams.

Having Rivera is a surprise but he could be a good hire. He is a proven leader of men who has had success with multiple teams. The players wanted someone who could be tough and hold them accountable. Rivera would do just that. Being proven gives him some cache that the leading candidates don’t have. Having been involved in previous winning times with the Bears he could bring in a new era of winning.

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