Ben Johnson's Bears Staff Poaching Continues, Acquiring Coaches From Lions and Cowboys

The Chicago Bears have been busy bolstering their coaching staff this offseason, and they've continued to raid other teams for talent. This week, the Bears hired two coaches from the Detroit Lions and one from the Dallas Cowboys, adding to the growing list of assistants who have followed new Chicago coach Matt Eberflus from their previous stops. Some see it as unethical and a sign of desperation while others view it as smart and aggressive team-building.

Acquiring Coaches From Lions and Cowboys

The Bears' latest hires include:

• Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, who spent the last two seasons as the Lions' quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.
• Defensive coordinator Alan Williams, who spent the last four seasons as the Lions' defensive line coach.
• Linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi, who spent the last four seasons as the Cowboys' linebackers coach.

These hires follow the Bears' previous poaching of offensive line coach Chris Morgan, wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert, and special teams coordinator Richard Hightower from the Lions. The Bears also hired assistant general manager Ian Cunningham from the Lions and director of player personnel Jeff King from the Cowboys.

Different Perspectives on the Issue

The Bears' aggressive staff-poaching has drawn mixed reactions. Some believe it's a sign of desperation by a team that has struggled for years. Others see it as a smart and aggressive way to build a winning team.

Perspective 1: Unethical and Desperate

Critics of the Bears' staff-poaching argue that it's an unethical practice that hurts other teams. They point out that the Lions and Cowboys are both division rivals of the Bears, and the Bears are essentially weakening those teams by taking away their coaches. Additionally, they argue that the Bears are taking advantage of the fact that other teams are in rebuilding mode, and they're not giving those teams a chance to develop their own coaches.

Perspective 2: Smart and Aggressive

Supporters of the Bears' staff-poaching argue that it's a smart and aggressive way to build a winning team. They point out that the Bears have hired some of the best coaches in the NFL, and these coaches have a proven track record of success. Additionally, they argue that the Bears are not the only team that poaches coaches, and it's simply a part of the business of football.

Evidence and Examples

There is evidence to support both sides of the argument. On the one hand, there are several examples of teams that have been hurt by staff-poaching. For example, the Cleveland Browns have lost several key coaches to other teams in recent years, and they have struggled to find success on the field. On the other hand, there are also several examples of teams that have benefited from staff-poaching. For example, the New England Patriots have poached several key coaches from other teams, and they have been one of the most successful teams in the NFL over the past two decades.

Conclusion

The debate over the ethics of staff-poaching is likely to continue for years to come. There are valid arguments to be made on both sides of the issue. Ultimately, it's up to each team to decide whether or not they want to engage in staff-poaching.
The Bears' staff-poaching has certainly raised eyebrows, but it's too early to say whether it will be a success or failure. Only time will tell if the Bears have made the right moves.

Reflection on the Broader Implications

The Bears' staff-poaching is just one example of a broader trend in the NFL. Teams are increasingly poaching coaches from other teams, and it's becoming more and more common for coaches to move around the league. This trend has a number of implications.
First, it makes it more difficult for teams to build a stable coaching staff. In the past, coaches would often stay with one team for many years. However, now it's common for coaches to move around every few years. This can make it difficult for teams to develop a consistent identity and philosophy.

Second, staff-poaching can lead to a lack of diversity in the NFL. When teams are constantly poaching coaches from other teams, it limits the opportunities for minority coaches to get hired. This is because minority coaches are often not given the same opportunities as white coaches. As a result, the NFL is becoming less and less diverse.

Third, staff-poaching can create a sense of instability in the NFL. When coaches are constantly moving around, it can create a sense of uncertainty and chaos. This can make it difficult for players to focus on football and perform at their best.

The NFL needs to find a way to address the issue of staff-poaching. Otherwise, it will continue to have a negative impact on the league.