“Kevin has seen enough to clean it out,” said one NFL GM, who is not authorized to speak publicly about other teams’ management decisions and structures, on the condition of anonymity. “It’s my understanding that he has the power to do it, and the coach and GM can’t go around him to ownership. Maybe he feels a little pressure to keep Poles, but he sees how [messed] up it is there, and the more attention all of this gets, the easier it is for him to do what he has to do.”
Ted Phillips (already transitioning toward retirement) seemingly at the helm and Hall of Fame former executive Bill Polian commandeering the interviews. Trace Armstrong, a former Bears defensive end who’s now an agent for coaches and general managers, also held influence in the process, according to the GM who spoke under the condition of anonymity.
“This was always doomed,” said another NFL executive, who was a candidate for the Bears’ GM position and remains in the league. His employer would not permit him to speak freely about another team’s inner workings.
“Remember, you had Ted running one search, and then it really was like Polian running his own search … at the same time, and then everyone is wondering if they’re just going to hire one of Trace’s guys, no matter what.”
