"Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports"
Christmas came a day later for Chicago Bears center Roberto Garza, who signed a 1-year contract extension on Friday. It’s an interesting move as the season winds down and uncertainty over the offseason builds. The first thing I thought when I heard the news about Garza’s extension is “does this mean that GM Phil Emery is safe? What does this extension mean?”
I didn’t have to study the Bears’ press release for some cryptic message, Emery was quoted in the last paragraph of the release:
"“Extremely happy for Roberto, his family and the Chicago Bears that Roberto will remain with the team,” Bears General Manager Phil Emery said. “He has been a consistently good positive producer and key contributor to our offensive line for an extended time period along with being a leader and role model to everyone on our team and in the greater Chicago community”."
Feb 20, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery speaks during a press conference during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The popular belief is that Marc Trestman and the coaching staff will be fired after the season ends, but the question has been whether GM Phil Emery would get a chance to hire a new head coach and staff. Since he’s negotiating new deals beyond 2014, it might tell us that Phil is safe. But let’s not give up hope Bears fans. Emery is negotiating a deal with a relatively minor 1-year, $1.5 million extension with a known locker room leader. That’s a pretty safe deal to work out.
If defensive tackle Stephen Paea were to get extended, that might be a bigger story and a bigger indication that Emery is around for 2015. Paea is finishing up his rookie contract and after a strong showing in 2014, he’s expected to get a fairly sizable multi-year deal, at least compared to Garza. But if a new coach is brought in, they could change the defensive scheme and go to a 3-4, which would reduce Paea’s potential value.
Emery has a questionable track record in his three years as Bears GM. While he’s made some key draft picks like Alshon Jeffery and Kyle Long, he’s had some notable duds with Shea McClellin at the top of the list. But Emery’s biggest sins were hiring Marc Trestman while letting Bruce Arians walk out of his office and inking Cutler to a mega-extension that pays the enigmatic quarterback a $54 million guaranteed paycheck.
If you keep Emery while he’s on thin ice, it could limit the head coaching candidates that would be willing to work with a lame duck GM. It would be the best move if Bears ownership decides to bring in a President of Football Operations and clean house to get everyone on the same timeline. We’ll find out how this all plays out on Monday morning.