Second straight Monday night heartbreak for BJ & Da’ Bears. Despite my team not having a great week, neither did my opponent. I held a lead into the second half of the Seattle-Houston game, but lost on the Houston defense’s sack/fumble/touchdown in a game they were otherwise dominated.
My team didn’t deserve to win this week, but it’s still gut wrenching to come so close only to have it ripped away from you.
Caleb Williams had his worst week of the season, managing only two points in a plus matchup. I lost the QB battle 11-2.
Running back was another wasteland for me.i was outscored 19-8 at RB.
Quentin Johnston returned and scored a TD, but my other three WRs combined for 6 points. However, I only lost the WR battle by 3 points, 17-14, because my opponent had a player put up a goose egg.
Trey McBride was my lone bright spot. He’s really come on lately and won the TE battle for me, 23-11, despite my opponent playing two tight ends.
Ka’imi Fairbairn was decent, winning the kicker matchup, 10-2.
I streamed the Chicago Bears defense, who did well with 18 points. Unfortunately, my opponent’s defense put up 22.
Trey McBride earns my MVP for the week, hopefully the rest of my team can start to complement my TE.
Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals Photo Credit- Joe Camporeale/ USA Today Sports
Week 8 Preview
BJ & Da’ Bears vs Nerves of Steel
Projected Lineups
I’m a slight favorite at this point, mainly because my opponent doesn’t have a RB for his starting lineup because of byes. I’ve got bye issues, too, but I’m at least able to field a full lineup.
This game could come down to which of our reserves come through for us.
My keys to the week:
CalebWilliams: Williams is coming off his worst game of the season. I need him to bounce back. I don’t need him to have a monster week, just league average would be nice. He’s got a decent matchup against Baltimore to do so.
Rome Odunze: Odunze goes hand in hand with Williams. If one has a good game, the other likely does too. Odunze has had two down games in a row, I need him to get back to his early season form.
RachaadWhite: White is the best RB in this matchup & I need him to show it. He’s got a plus matchup versus New Orleans. He could very well carry me to victory this week.
Kimani Vidal: Vidal is pretty much the only healthy RB the Chargers have left. The matchup against Minnesota isn’t great, but Vidal should get plenty of opportunities.
What a difference a week makes. Last week this team managed a measly 49 points. This week, one of my players outdid that completely by himself and another came damn close.
Big win for the Trash Pandas, stopping a two game skid & moving to 3-0 within my division.
Justin Herbert exploded this week for 54 points! He outscored my opponent’s QB by 37!
I played 2 RBs to my opponent’s 3, and one of my RBs, TreVeyon Henderson, put up a goose egg, yet I still won the RB matchup by 35 points because Jahmyr Gibbs romped for 47 points on Monday night.
Despite having three WRs in my lineup to my opponent’s two, I lost the WR battle, 40-31, but it wasn’t a terrible week. Quentin Johnston was back and scored a touchdown. Jordan Addison entered my lineup for the first time and put up 19 points. Rome Odunze was the only downer with his second straight dud.
I scooped up Dalton Schultz off the secondary waiver wire and he won me the TE matchup, 10-7.
Philadelphia’s defense added a touchdown to help my efforts.
My MVP goes to Gibbs, whose huge Monday night turned a probable heartbreaking loss into a breathe easy win.
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions Photo Credit- Ryan Sun/ Associated Press
Week 8 Preview
Trash Pandas vs Township Gilmores
Projected Lineups & Reserves
I get the defending league champion this week and it couldn’t come on a worse week. My roster is decimated by bye weeks. I need to find a RB, preferably two so I don’t have to play TreVeyon Henderson against Cleveland.
It’s going to take some major luck for me to pull this one off, but here’s the keys to the week:
Justin Herbert: Herbert had a monster game last week. It’s asking a lot for him to repeat it, but I could definitely use it.
Dalton Schultz: Schultz actually had a nice game last week, he saw tons of targets. It would be nice if he saw the same volume this week.
Rome Odunze: Odunze needs to break out of his mini slump if I want any shot at pulling off this upset.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles defense needs a much better showing this week than the last time they played the Giants when they put up negative points.
Now that the Tennessee Titans have become the first team to fire their head coach this season, I thought I’d take a look at some other coaches on the hot seat. Listed in order of most likely to be out of a job come January:
White Hot
Photo Credit- John Kuntz/ Cleveland.com
Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins are a mess. They have issues on both sides of the ball and in the locker room. They were not even competitive against the Cleveland Browns, not exactly a juggernaut. McDaniel’s seat is nuclear hot. I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s gone before Thanksgiving. Side Note- I think Miami will be breaking in a new coach and quarterback in 2026.
Photo Credit- Norm Hall/ Getty Images
Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals: When the Cardinals organization imposed a fine on Gannon for his altercation with running back Emari Demercado on the sideline during the game against the Tennessee Titans, Gannon’s seat became hot. With each mounting loss, the seat gets hotter. To be honest, Gannon is an example of a guy who probably rushed into being a head coach without fully looking into the situation he was getting into. The Cardinals, and Gannon, are tied to Kyler Murray and, sadly, that was never going to work. Murray has never shown a consistent ability to be a top tier quarterback and the Cardinals investment in him had hamstrung them in other areas. The offense has actually looked better without him the last two weeks. Gannon’s best hope to make it through the season may be to stick with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback and maybe, just maybe, they win a game or two along the way.
Smoldering
Photo Credit- Kai River Kanzer/ New York Post
Brian Daboll, New York Giants: Not only do I think Daboll is safe for the rest of this season, I think there’s a chance he returns in 2026. The reason? Jaxson Dart. Dart was Daboll’s hand picked quarterback and he’s looked the part. If he continues to grow, Daboll could be retained. BUT… Meltdowns like Sunday’s against Denver don’t help his cause. Sure, coaches aren’t making the plays on the field, it was the players that made the mistakes that allowed that improbable comeback, but Daboll made questionable decisions. He should never have put Dart in the position to throw that critical interception. There is such a fine line in this sport. Had the Giants won that game that would have been two big time upsets in a row and Daboll wouldn’t even be on this list, but here we are.
Photo Credit- Ken Blaze/ Imagn Images
Kevin Stefanski, ClevelandBrowns: Personally, I think Cleveland would be stupid to move on from a two time coach of the year, but the Browns have a habit of making stupid decisions. Cleveland’s troubles are a direct result of the stupid decision to jettison Baker Mayfield in favor of Deshaun Watson, and give Watson an enormous contract, fully guaranteed, that he’s come nowhere close to living up to and Cleveland has no way to get out of. Stefanski could end up being the fall guy, deserved or not. He’d be a top candidate for any opening if he is let go.
Waiting on a Spark
Photo Credit- Sam Greene/ The Enquirer/ USA Today Network via Imagn Images
Zac Taylor, CincinnatiBengals: Joe Burrow’s injury may have given Taylor a pass on this season, especially if he can keep the Bengals in contention until Burrow’s return. However, there’s a couple scenarios that could ignite the hot seat. 1) If the Bengals completely fall out of contention, even after acquiring Joe Flacco, perhaps Cincinnati’s front office will see it a justification for moving on from a coach who seems to be squandering some world class offensive talent in their prime. 2) Even worse would be keeping them in contention yet still falling short upon Burrow’s return. You have to wonder if the front office is not just a little frustrated with not living up to expectations.
Photo Credit- Bryan Bennett/ Getty Images
Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills: Don’t get me wrong, I find this to be highly unlikely. I think the Bills will eventually win the AFC East and make a deep playoff run, but Buffalo’s last two games opens the possibility. The Bills are vulnerable, especially defensively, and that is McDermott’s specialty. If Buffalo should stumble down the stretch and miss the playoffs, I think the axe could fall. The inability to get over the hump in the postseason and wasting some prime Josh Allen years could weigh in as well.
Photo Credit- Eric Christian Smith/ Associated Press
Demeco Ryans: I’m listing Ryans simplybecause Houston has a history of making rash coachingdecisions. Ryans has made the playoffsevery year he’s been head coach, but they have an uphill climb to get there thisseason. The regression of CJ Stroud and stagnation of the offense may be allthejustification the Texans’ ownershipwould need.
Short Leash
Photo Credit- Robert Deutsch/ Imagn Images
AaronGlenn, New York Jets: I never thought we’d get here, but the Jets are an absolute embarrassment this season. They are undisciplined and make way too many mental mistakes. That’s coaching, and they’ve gotten worse as the season has progressed. Maybe Glenn will be able to scapegoat Justin Fields and not having his quarterback, but the problems are deeper. The Jets franchise has proven to be impatient in the past, so a one and done for Glenn isn’t out of the question.
Photo Credit- Jeffrey McWhorter/ Associated Press
Brian Schottenheimer, DallasCowboys: Jerry Jones certainly does things his own way, and he’s proven to be impulsive and impatient before. Schottenheimer was a surprise hire and he’s been decent. The Cowboys’ issues have been defensive, not Schottenheimer’s forte, and he had nothing to do with trading away their best defensive player. Still, it wouldn’t surprise me if Jones moves on if Dallas misses the playoffs.
Photo Credit- Charlie Riedel/ Associated Press
Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders: Pete Carroll’s career resume should earn him a longer leash, but this is the Raiders. Whether in Vegas, Oakland or Los Angeles, the Raiders have a long history of quickly moving on from head coaches. Make no mistake, the Raiders are very bad and much worse than many expected. It wouldn’t be a total shock to see Carroll gone after one season.
No Heat, but…
Photo Credit- Albert Cesare/ The Enquirer/ USA Today Network via Imagn Images
Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers: Let me be clear, Tomlin won’t get fired unless Pittsburgh doesn’t win another game this season. However, I think a mutual decision to part ways is certainly in the cards if Tomlin can’t lead Pittsburgh to at least the second round of the playoffs.
Photo Credit- Ric Tapia/ Getty Images
John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens: Even if Baltimore’s season continues on its downward spiral, there is no way Harbaugh would get fired. But, maybe he’d get moved up to the front office. Some kind of mutual agreement type thing. Highly unlikely, nearly impossible in my mind.
I fell six points short of a signature win on Monday night, but due to the result of the Bears/Commanders game, I am not all that upset.
Caleb Williams had an okay game, it could have been better had there not been a ticky-tack penalty on a TD pass to Rome Odunze. Williams has become a safe floor fantasy quarterback.
Unfortunately, my opponent’s second year QB had a bigger game. I lost the QB battle, 38-23.
I also lost the RB battle, 23-22, even though I played 3 RBs to my opponent’s two. Rachaad White had a great game but David Montgomery did not.
I inserted Rhamondre Stevenson into my starting lineup and listed him as one of the keys to my week. It failed miserably. It’s hard to trust any of New England’s running backs right now.
I did win the WR matchup, 20-4, but again I had one more WR in my lineup than my opponent. Rome Odunze had his worst week of the season, but he did have a TD called back by a questionable penalty. Without that penalty, I win this game.
Tetairoa McMillan had his breakout game, catching two touchdown passes against Dallas and putting up 16 fantasy points. Williams had more points, but I’m giving my MVP to McMillan.
Quentin Johnston was one of my keys to the week, unfortunately he was a late scratch. I kept Brian Thomas Jr on my bench for the second week in a row and he had his best fantasy week of the season. I considered putting him back into the lineup when Johnston was ruled out, unfortunately I did not and it cost me the game.
I listed Trey McBride as one of my keys, saying he needed to at least cancel out one of my opponent’s two tight ends. He did that, but I still lost the TE battle, 23-13.
Overall, RB, WR & TE were pretty close, I actually won those matchups by 5 points.
Kicker was pretty much a wash. We both needed to hit the waiver wire, my opponent won the kicker battle by 1 point.
My streamed defense, Las Vegas Raiders, outscored my opponent, 20-12.
This was a tough beat to a really good opponent. I had my chances. If I had chosen Brian Thomas Jr instead of Keon Coleman when Johnston was ruled out, I win.
If the Caleb Williams to Rome Odunze touchdown had stood, I win.
My team still has some issues, but they’ve actually been better than I expected. A couple breaks here and there and I could be right in the mix for a playoff spot.
Week 7 Preview
BJ & Da’ Bears vs The Tweedle Beetles
Projected Lineups
I face my nemesis this week. Early in our rivalry, I could never beat the Tweedle Beetles. No matter how good my team was, I always lost to them. In recent years, however, I’ve been able to right that ship.
This should be another tight game. I’m slightly favored, but we are pretty evenly matched. I catch a break with Derrick Henry being on bye, and I have no player of significance out.
Here’s my keys to this matchup:
Rome Odunze: Odunze is coming off his only dud of the season and has a plus matchup versus the Saints. I need him to bounce back. I have plenty of confidence he will. If not for a borderline penalty call, Odunze would have had another double digit fantasy week this past week.
Rachaad White: I need White to continue to take advantage of Bucky Irving’s absence. If he can even out Josh Jacobs’ production that would go a long way to securing a victory for me.
Tetairoa McMillan: McMillan had his first two NFL touchdowns this past week, and his highest fantasy output of the season. I need him to continue his breakthrough.
Trey McBride: McBride is also coming off his best fantasy week of the season and I need him to continue that trend. McBride needs to start winning the tight end battle for me on a consistent basis.
Well, I’m not going to dwell too long on this one. This was about as bad of a fantasy football performance as I’ve ever had. I pretty much knew I was going to lose by halftime of the one o’clock games.
It got so bad that I didn’t even bother replacing Cairo Santos at kicker when he was ruled out before kickoff on Monday night.
Justin Herbert was listed as my number one key to the week, and that’s about the only thing that went right. Herbert bounced back and he was the only guy in my lineup that actually produced.
Herbert actually outdueled Josh Allen and helped me win the QB battle, 26-20.
I lost the RB matchup, 26-14. Michael Carter was one of my keys, but he took a backseat to Bam Knight in the Cardinals’ backfield. Still, his 6 points were enough to equal Jahmyr Gibbs, who was thoroughly disappointing.
I nearly benched TreVeyon Henderson, but injuries forced me to put him in at flex. I was not rewarded.
Quentin Johnston was another of my keys, but he was unable to go. To make matters worse, Marvin Harrison got knocked out of the game with a concussion & Rome Odunze had a TD wiped out by a questionable penalty.
Brock Bowers, another of my keys, sat out another game. Mason Taylor didn’t replicate his week 5 output, as the Jets passing game was downright dreadful. I lost the TE battle, 23-0.
The signs for a bad week were there from Thursday night, when the Philadelphia Eagles defense managed to put up negative five points.
Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers Photo Credit- Carmen Mandato/ Getty Images
This was a thoroughly embarrassing effort. Everything that could go wrong, did, except Herbert rebounding for a solid game.
Short term memory, I need to move on to the next game.
Week 7 Preview
Trash Pandas vs Lancaster Lightning
Projected Lineups & Benches
Big matchup this week. I need to right this ship and get back to winning. This is also a division matchup and I’m 2-0 in the division thus far.
I’m a slight favorite, but I think we’re pretty evenly matched. We both have some injury questions. I’m unsure, as of this writing, if I’ll have Quentin Johnston, Marvin Harrison Jr or Brock Bowers available. My opponent may or may not have Puka Nucua available.
Here’s my keys to the week:
Jahmyr Gibbs: Gibbs has another high profile matchup against a tough opponent, but I need him to come through. He’s been mildly disappointing this season and I need him to to start putting up some big weeks.
TreVeyon Henderson: I need Henderson to take over that Patriots backfield, somehow, some way. I really don’t have any other viable option as my number two RB, Henderson needs to start putting up points.
Jordan Addison: I could list any of my WRs here, they were all bad last week. But, I’m pretty confident Rome Odunze bounces back. Quentin Johnston was out with an injury, so I’m hoping he’ll be back to his normal, productive self this week. I’m going with Addison as a key because I’ve made the decision to play him over Marvin Harrison Jr, make it pay, please.
Brock Bowers: Honestly, the troubles I’ve had with this team can all be traced to Bowers hurting his knee in week one. Bowers is a cheat code, when healthy. Plug and play and know I’m getting WR production from a TE. Instead, my TE position has been an abyss.
Another chaotic week in the NFL, the top three teams all lost. We’ve got a new number one team for the third week in a row. This one might prove to be short lived, too.
#1 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-1)+3
Last Week: #4, won vs #13 San Francisco, 30-19
It might end up being short lived, but the Buccaneers have earned the number one ranking thus far.
This Week: at #3 Detroit
#2 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (5-1)+4
Last Week: #6, won vs #24 Arizona, 31-27
I still expect the Daniel Jones bubble to burst, but there is no denying the Colts are playing very good football.
ThisWeek: at #13 LA Chargers
#3 DETROIT LIONS (4-2)-2
Last Week: #1, lost at #11 Kansas City, 30-17
Losing on the road in KC should never drop you too far down the rankings. Big chance to move back up with a showdown against Tampa at home.
This Week: vs #1 Tampa Bay
#4 LOS ANGELES RAMS (4-2) +3
Last Week: #7, won at #19 Baltimore, 17-3
The Rams have been a bit inconsistent, but they do have the talent to make some noise in the NFC.
This Week: vs #14 Jacksonville in London
#5 GREEN BAY PACKERS (3-1-1)
Last Week: #5, won vs #30 Cincinnati, 27-18
Green Bay was dominant through two weeks, since not so much, but the talent is there.
This Week: at #25 Arizona
#6 PITTSBURGH STEELERS (4-1)+2
Last Week: #8, won vs #25 Cleveland, 23-9
I’m not sold on Pittsburgh being true contenders in the AFC, but they are in total control of their division.
This Week: at #30 Cincinnati
#7 DENVER BRONCOS (4-2)+2
Last Week: #9, won vs #32 NY Jets in London, 13-11
Denver still has some work to do offense, but the defense is starting to be the dominant force many envisioned.
This Week: vs #22 NY Giants
#8 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-2)-6
Last Week: #2, lost at #27 NY Giants, 34-17
The Eagles have serious issues on offense, especially, but I think they’ll eventually get them figured out.
This Week: at #17 Minnesota
#9 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (3-3) +2
Last Week: #11, won vs #1 Detroit, 30-17
As other AFC elites are starting to show cracks, the Chiefs are starting to show fixes. Watch out.
This Week: vs #26 Las Vegas
#10 BUFFALO BILLS (4-2) -7
Last Week: #3, lost at #20 Atlanta, 24-14
Buffalo’s defense will torpedo any Super Bowl aspirations they have.
This Week: BYE
#11 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (4-2)+3
Last Week: #14, won at Jacksonville, 20-12
The Seahawks are the NFL’s road warriors. They could make some real noise in the NFC.
This Week: vs #21 Houston
#12 WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (3-3) -2
Last Week: #10, lost vs #17 Chicago, 25-24
Washington needs to get healthy and they need to clean up the sloppy ball handling, but they’re still in the mix.
#13 LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (4-2)+2
Last Week: #15, won at #29 Miami, 29-27
It wasn’t as resounding as one would’ve hoped, but the Chargers did snap their two game skid.
This Week: vs #2 Indianapolis
#14 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-2)-2
Last Week: #12, lost vs #14 Seattle, 20-12
Jacksonville lost a tough one at home, have to go overseas for another tough matchup. This could define their season.
This Week: vs #4 LA Rams in London
#15 CHICAGO BEARS (3-2)+2
Last Week: #17, won at #10 Washington, 25-24
The Bears have won three in a row and have a string of very winnable games upcoming.
This Week: vs #28 New Orleans
#16 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-2) +2
Last Week: #18, won at #26 New Orleans, 25-19
Patriots suddenly find themselves in first place and Drake Maye looks like a legit MVP candidate.
This Week: at #31 Tennessee
#17 ATLANTA FALCONS (3-2)+3
Last Week: #20, won vs #3 Buffalo, 24-14
Biggest win in Atlanta in years, the Falcons might have found a pass rush.
This Week: at #19 San Francisco
#18 MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-2) -2
Last Week: #16, BYE
Minnesota should be healthier coming out of the bye.
This Week: vs #8 Philadelphia
#19 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (4-2)-6
Last Week: #13, lost at #4 Tampa Bay, 30-19
The Niners have endured a lot of injuries, but losing Fred Warner for the season could be the one that breaks them.
This Week: vs #17 Atlanta
#20 CAROLINA PANTHERS (3-3)+3
Last Week: #23, won vs #22 Dallas, 30-27
Carolina has shown some growth over the last couple weeks.
This Week: at #32 NY Jets
#21 HOUSTON TEXANS (2-3)
Last Week: #21, BYE
Coming off their bye, the Texans have an uphill battle in the AFC and their division.
This Week: at #11 Seattle
#22 NEW YORK GIANTS (2-4)+5
Last Week: #27, won vs #2 Philadelphia, 34-17
Giants are coming off their biggest win in years, can they keep the momentum?
This Week: at #7 Denver
#23 BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-5)-4
Last Week: #19, lost vs #7 LA Rams, 17-3
The Ravens’ free fall continues into the bye, but Lamar Jackson should return after.
This Week: BYE
#24 DALLAS COWBOYS (2-3-1)-2
Last Week: #22, lost at #23 Carolina, 30-27
Dallas is much better at home than on the road and that defense… Yikes.
This Week: vs #12 Washington
#25 ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-4) -1
Last Week: #24, lost at #6 Indianapolis, 31-27
Cardinals almost pulled off a huge upset with their backup QB, but the losing streak reaches 4.
This Week: vs #5 Green Bay
#26 LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-4) +5
Last Week: #31, won vs #28 Tennessee, 20-10
Vegas ended their losing streak and should get Brock Bowers back soon.
This Week: at #9 Kansas City
#27 CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-5)-2
Last Week: #25, lost at #8 Pittsburgh, 23-9
Cleveland’s defense will keep them in most games, the offense needs to find something.
This Week: vs #29 Miami
#28 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-5)-2
Last Week: #26, lost vs #18 New England, 25-19
The Saints put up a fight every week, but they just don’t have the talent to pull off the wins.
This Week: at #15 Chicago
#29 MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-5)
Last Week: #29, lost vs #15 LA Chargers, 29-27
Dolphins apparently have serious locker room problems, it translates onto the field.
This Week: at #27 Cleveland
#30 CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-4)
Last Week: #30, lost vs #5 Green Bay, 27-19
Cincy looked better with Joe Flacco, but this still isn’t a good team without Joe Burrow.
This Week: vs #6 Pittsburgh
#31 TENNESSEE TITANS (1-5)-3
Last Week: #28, lost at #31 Las Vegas, 20-10
Tennessee fired their head coach, not sure if that will translate into any wins.
This Week: vs #16 New England
#32 NEW YORK JETS (0-6)
Last Week: #32, lost vs #9 Denver in London, 13-11
That was as terrible an offensive display as I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been a Bears fan for over 30 years.
There we have it, the first coaching casualty of 2025. My money was on Mike McDaniel in Miami, but the Tennessee Titans pulled the trigger first.
Tennessee has been bad, terrible even. There’s an argument to be made that they’re the worst team in the NFL, despite the New York Jets being the only winless team through six games.
The Titans lone win was the result of an epic collapse by the Arizona Cardinals, and two of the strangest plays you’ll ever see. In every other game, Tennessee has been almost completely uncompetitive.
As a Bears fan, I know exactly where the Titans are right now. They have a rookie, number one overall pick quarterback. Cam Ward is the franchise, everything Tennessee does has to be about maximizing his development and potential. When you come to the decision, as an organization, that the head coach is not the right guy to develop your prized quarterback, you have to get him out of the building without hesitation.
Ward is now the fourth consecutive number one overall pick quarterback to have his head coach fired midway through his rookie season. Trevor Lawrence, Bryce Young & Caleb Williams have all been where Cam Ward now is.
Ward and the Titans most closely resemble the situation with Chicago and Caleb Williams last year. Whereas Jacksonville & Carolina paired their prized rookie quarterbacks with new coaches and just chose the wrong ones, in the eyes of those respective organizations. Tennessee and Chicago, however, chose to retain their head coaches with the full knowledge that they’d be drafting a quarterback with the first overall pick.
The difference between Tennessee and Chicago is that in Chicago GM Ryan Poles had hired Matt Eberflus, in Tennessee GM Mike Borgonzi did not hire Brian Callahan. While I am not excusing Poles and the Bears not recognizing sooner that Eberflus was the wrong coach to pair with a prized rookie quarterback, perhaps there was loyalty and continuity concerns at play.
In Tennessee, those excuses don’t exist. Did ownership force Borgonzi to retain Callahan and not make his own choice for head coach? If so, that is just organizational malfeasance.
I hope, for Cam Ward’s sake, that Tennessee gets it right with their next head coach. I hope they give Borgonzi and his pick for head coach an ample chance to prove they can develop Ward and turn Tennessee around.
Nickels and Dimes 