(670 The Score) While the majority of the NFL’s 32 teams operate as a multibillion-dollar businesses and hold themselves to such a standard, the Bears have long been different. They're a family-owned football franchise that has operated like your local ma and pa shop.
The McCaskey family has always viewed Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips as one of their own, like a son to Virginia McCaskey and a brother to George McCaskey. Despite the Bears' failure to achieve sustained success on the field since Phillips was named to his position in 1999, the McCaskey family stood by him.
Phillips will retire from his role at the end of the 2022 season, bringing the end to his four-decade tenure with the Bears, including the last 23 years as president and CEO of the team. He's just the fourth president in the Bears' 102-year history and the only one whose last name isn’t Halas or McCaskey.
“It’s difficult to put into words how much Ted has meant to the Bears and our family,” chairman George McCaskey said in a team statement. “The faith that Virginia and Ed McCaskey placed in him by naming him president and CEO of the Bears has been rewarded many times over.
“We are lucky to have had him here as long as we did.”
What comes next will be crucial for the Bears. As they embark on a search for a new president/CEO, the Bears need to land an individual who will move them forward -- toward operating like a major corporation rather than a local corner store. It wouldn't be wise to hire one of Phillips’ proteges from within the organization. Such a move would ignore the underwhelming organizational performance during Phillips’ tenure.
The Bears have six playoff appearances during Phillips' 23-season reign as team president. In that time, they've had six head coaches and five general managers. Chicago's last playoff victory came in January 2011.
The Bears need to seek change in selecting Phillips’ replacement and put aside their sentiments for the man by acknowledging the need for better results. McCaskey should make a hire from outside of Halas Hall as the Bears seek a bright, progressive leader.
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In 2020, Washington hired Jason Wright as team president to lead an organizational overhaul. Wright was a former NFL running back who earned his undergraduate degree at Northwestern and an MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. It marked a significant step forward for the team now known as the Commanders.
Earlier this week, the Broncos’ new ownership group hired Damani Leech as its new team president in Denver after Leech worked seven years in the NFL’s league office and more than 17 years at the NCAA national office.
"As we sought to identify a dynamic, forward-thinking and inspiring leader to guide the Broncos into this exciting new chapter, Damani stood out among several very qualified candidates," new Broncos owner Greg Penner said of Leech.
Eleven of the NFL’s 32 team president roles are held by a member of the ownership group. As McCaskey ponders his options, prioritizing someone who thinks differently would be smart.
The Bears should take a look at Trace Armstrong, the former NFL defensive lineman who's now a prominent agent. Franchise great Gary Fencik, a Yale graduate and executive in a private equity firm, would be another excellent candidate. McCaskey should also place a call to former Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips, who's now the ACC commissioner and attempting to save his conference’s existence.
How about an outside-the-box hire like former Cubs executive Theo Epstein? He's 48 years old and seeking the next challenge in his wildly successful career. Even if Epstein were to stand by his Bill Walsh philosophy of working no more than 10 years in one position, imagine what he could bring the Bears in the span of a decade.
Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning has been successful in both football and business. He has been a guest at Halas Hall in the past and perhaps could be the right fit alongside McCaskey.
In the coming years, the Bears hope to create a new culture of success on the field and construct a state-of-the-art stadium in Arlington Heights. Through both of those avenues, the purpose is to increase the value of the franchise and embark in greater business ventures.
The last act of Phillips in leading the Bears will be to see through the first season of general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus while working on breaking ground on a new stadium in Arlington Heights. After that, the Bears will be guided by a new team president and CEO for a critical juncture in the franchise’s history.
The Bears and the McCaskey family will spend this time until February celebrating Phillips’ work, loyalty and friendship. Then, it’s time to turn the page and find an innovative leader for what’s to come.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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