Following a wretched 2014 season marked as much by off-field drama as on-field ineptitude, the Chicago Bears have fired Phil Emery after three seasons as the general manager.
Phil Emery fired as Bears’ general manager
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Thought to be potential division title contenders before the season, the Bears stumbled to a distant fourth-place finish in the NFC North, missing the playoffs for a third consecutive year under Emery. A major factor in the team's disappointing performance has been the up-and-(mostly)-down play of quarterback Jay Cutler, whom Emery awarded a seven-year contract with $54 million guaranteed back in January. Cutler coughed up a league-leading 18 interceptions in 2014, prompting reports that Bears' brass was feeling buyer's remorse.
Emery was also reported to be one of the biggest proponents of head coach Marc Trestman’s hiring in 2013. Chicago took heavy criticism for choosing Trestman, who had previously been coaching in the CFL, and the move has backfired so far. The Bears have gone just 13-19 in the two seasons since.
Hired in 2012, Emery has yet to construct a team capable of making the playoffs. While his offseason upgrades to the defensive front paid significant dividends in run defense this season, the secondary remains a mess and the defense ranked as second worst in total points allowed to the Oakland Raiders.
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