Mike Shanahan appeared completely out of nowhere to do a TV hot on ESPN Sunday NFL countdown a couple days ago. Until then, Shanahan had kept a very low profile so his appearance conveyed the idea of a stump speech campaigning for a head coaching job- the Chicago Bears Head Coaching job.
He was “asked” (obviously this was pre-rehearsed) whether he wants to coach in the NFL next year. Shanahan’s answer was obviously pre-meditated by his representation and it sounded like something that had been tested on a focus group:
“The one thing I want to do is win. It’s not just coaching, but going to the right organization that will make a strong commitment. ‘Cause there’s only one team that’s happy at the end of the year and that’s the team that wins the Super Bowl.”
So that means yes! When you give the Coachiest Coachy McCoachington coachspeak response it means you’re trying to throw your hat back in the ring. Factor in these facts: Mike Shanahan is originally from a Chicago suburb and went to school downstate.
And of course, Jay Cutler and his likely immovable albatross of a contract.
Shanahan, who was Denver’s head coach when the Broncos drafted Jay Cutler in 2006, is said to be interested in reuniting with him. If the Bears can’t offload Cutler on anyone, Shanahan is the leading candidate to replace Marc Trestman as head coach. In our list of seven potential Trestman replacements, Shanahan is by far the most logical. His ego and brand match the franchise perfectly. One Fox analyst believes Cutler will leave Chicago.
NFL Network claims the Tennessee Titans are exploring the idea of trading for Cutler. However, both these ideas seem unlikely. Conventional wisdom says Cutler stays in Chicago.
Here’s Mike Shanahan on Jay Cutler during his self-promotional appearance in Bristol:
“I’m a little bit surprised. Anytime that you’re not with an organization it’s really hard to say what Jay Cutler has done in Chicago. I just know bein’ with him in Denver, you know, as a rookie, second- and third-year guy, that he’s got all the intangibles.
“Now, can you get that out of him?
“Obviously he’s going through some growing pains right now with turnovers. I really believe in Jay, that the future’s ahead of him, but he’s got to make a commitment that he’s gonna get better and better, and it’s gotta be a group decision to get him over the top to where he can be, but he is a franchise-type quarterback.”
Sounds like a guy who’s willing to take on that reclamation project. Why else would you give “the yearbook answer” (quoting Sean Connery’s character in “The Untouchables”) on a platform where you’re SUPPOSED to be COMPELLING not VANILLA?
Also, the Bears organizations REQUIRES that everyone works for them says absolutely nothing of value during media appearances. You have to talk, but never discern any actual relevant information. The Bears really do stress this as one of their core values. There’s a reason we in the Chicago media jokingly refer to Chicago Bears P.R. as “police resistance.”
Shanahan has proven time and time again that he can play the cliche game as well as anyone. His appearance on Sunday Countdown took that practice to another level.
Of course, there is one major caveat with Mike Shanahan. He doesn’t just want to cook, he wants to do the grocery shopping. So front office control is part of the package deal. In other words, if Trestman is replaced by Mike Shanahan, current GM Phil Emery is likely out the door too.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his feature stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on KOZN 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2