Kevin Warren talks personal history and goals for the Chicago Bears
By Peter Jurich
During his introductory press conference as the President and CEO of the Chicago Bears, newly hired Kevin Warren discussed where he sees the Chicago Bears going in the future, as well as his own history as the COO of the Minnesota Vikings and the commissioner of the Big Ten.
Warren took the podium on Tuesday and thanked a laundry list of people who helped him get to where he is today, including his beloved family and former Chicago Bear Chris Zorich, who was his first and at one time only client as a sports agent. Warren emphasized how these relationships, as well as many more, are essential to his success. He stated that “I’m a relationship person… I’m looking forward to building an incredible culture here with the Chicago Bears”.
Kevin Warren emphasizes culture and detail-oriented leadership for Chicago Bears
When asked about his move from the Big Ten to the Chicago Bears, Warren detailed his mentality. He stated that it is important to “always leave a situation demonstratively better than when you got there”, a value he learned from his father growing up.
In terms of the Big Ten, Warren stressed that in his three-year stint as commissioner, he increased mental health and social equity awareness as the conference’s commissioner, improved the television programming and ratings, as well as ushering in the addition of USC and UCLA. However, Warren knew that “it was right in my spirit” to leave the Big Ten after only three seasons to accept the President and CEO role with the Chicago Bears.
At the Big Ten, Warren spent time with a number of current Bears players. Mainly quarterback Justin Fields, who was publicly against Warren’s decision to suspend Big Ten play during the COVID-19 pandemic while at Ohio State. When asked about his relationship with Fields since then, Warren stated that he understands why Fields took the position that he did, explaining he knows that “[Justin Fields] is talented, he’s a leader, and I love his passion”. Warren even said that he understands why Fields was against his decision to suspend play for a short time.
Kevin Warren will not influence on-field decisions for the Chicago Bears
While Warren appears to be occupying a role that should have a bigger focus off the field than on it, he detailed the culture he wishes to build in Chicago — not only amongst the front office and its staff but amongst the team and the community as well. Warren stated that the league “is wide open, especially in the NFC”, and that the goal for the team is to “do things the right way”, including winning the NFC North, the NFC, and championships. Warren, like many newly hired officials often do, called Chicago Bears fans “the best in the NFL, and [the fans] deserve a championship”.
Off the field, Warren’s premier focuses, outside of a new stadium, are diversity, equity, and inclusion, which he has emphasized dating back to his time before serving as the Big Ten commissioner. Warren, who is the first African-American president in Chicago Bears’ history, is also the first outside hire made at the position in team history. However, Warren emphasized that he is already beginning to feel a part of the family, and hopes that when walking in and out of the Bears’ facility, he will “make [George] Halas proud every single day”.
Warren also interjected parts of his past when appropriate, sharing an interesting story about his year in traction after a car crash in his childhood. He stated that his recovery and physical therapy not only made him a better athlete in the long term but forced him to become a more detail-oriented individual later in life. In his press conference, Warren also took the time to personally greet and thank every reporter in attendance who asked a question.
Warren seems to legitimately be a down-to-earth individual. He is not only in charge of relocating the Chicago Bears but he also wants to continue to establish the culture that the Bears have with Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus. Kevin Warren would also like to focus on a more enjoyable game-day experience, something he hopes to never lose sight of as an executive.
Kevin Warren emphasized the fact that despite this introductory press conference, he will not take over officially until sometime in April. However, his onboarding and transition process with Ted Phillips is going well so far.
Now, Warren certainly said all of the right things on Tuesday, and hopefully, his ideas and beliefs successfully come to fruition with the Chicago Bears under his influence.