Rumor: Kevin Warren to Take Charge of Football Operations

Warren, in his inaugural season as the Bears' president, was initially brought in with a focus on managing the Bears' stadium project. However, due to his extensive football background, it was widely anticipated that he would eventually play a role in the team's football operations.

Now, it appears that Warren is prepared to take charge of the Bears' football operations. In a preview for Week 13 of the NFL season, The Athletic's Dianna Russini (Subscription Required) reports that Warren has been granted authority over the Bears' front office, including General Manager Ryan Poles. Previous reports have indicated that Warren intends to implement changes within the team's football hierarchy.

Russini also notes that the Bears are not expected to make any coaching changes during the current season. To the credit of Bears' Head Coach Matt Eberflus, the team has posted a 4-4 record since their challenging 0-4 start to the season. However, unless the Bears manage to win all of their remaining five regular-season games, they will not secure a playoff spot.

It is likely that Ryan Poles will return for a third season as the Bears' General Manager. However, the future of Head Coach Matt Eberflus remains uncertain. While some Bears' beat reporters have suggested that Eberflus will be retained for a third season, he still faces criticism for certain aspects of his coaching. The Bears' recent collapse against the Detroit Lions exemplified the challenges Eberflus has encountered in his role as the team's head coach.

A potential vacancy for the Bears' head coaching position is expected to be one of the most sought-after jobs in the upcoming offseason. A new head coach would have the option of building the team around quarterback Justin Fields or potentially having the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to select USC's Caleb Williams.