John Fox won’t even have time to file his first unemployment claim. Just three days after mutually parting ways with the Denver Broncos, Fox is set to become the new head coach of the Chicago Bears.
Fox takes over for Marc Trestman, who was fired after going 5-11 in 2014 and 13-19 over two seasons. With Fox now in charge of the Bears, that leaves only two head coaching positions open in the NFL: the Broncos and the Atlanta Falcons.
Fox didn’t project to be out of work long. In his 13-year head coaching career, Fox led teams to the playoffs in six of them, including two Super Bowl appearances — one with the Carolina Panthers and one with the Broncos last season. Fox has a career record of 126-96 and suffered just three losing seasons (two of those 7-9 campaigns) in his 13 years. Fox also was the architect of the defense that got the 2000 New York Giants to the Super Bowl.
Fox inherits an underperforming Bears team loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. While Jay Cutler saw his stock plummet under Trestman, the maligned quarterback could be in for a comeback season with Fox at the helm. Fox has led teams with Tim Tebow and Jake Delhomme into the playoffs. Cutler is far from the worse option at QB the 59-year-old coach has been forced to deal with.
Of the Bears’ impending key defensive free agents, only defensive tackle Sephen Paea looks to be a must-sign after a 33 tackle, six-sack, two forced fumble season. Linebacker Lance Briggs and cornerback Charles Tillman both finished the season on injured reserve. Safety Chris Conte missed four games with an injury, but still had a solid season so Fox may want to keep the four-year veteran as he builds his third playoff team in as many cities.
