Kevin O'Connell proves the Chicago Bears do not know how to hire coaches

When the Chicago Bears went through the hiring process in 2022, they interviewed more than a handful of candidates. It was split fairly evenly between offensive-minded coaches and defensive-minded coaches. The interview process took place almost simultaneously with the general manager search. Although Ryan Poles is on record as fully on board with the hiring of Matt Eberflus, I still have my doubts. Eberflus was one of three finalists but who wasn't on this list at any point was Kevin O'Connell.

He, along with Mike McDaniel, would have been near the top of my want list should the Chicago Bears have interviewed either of them. Brian Daboll was who I wanted most and he has struggled in New York, but the Giants also have a talent issue. Even so, the Giants have a better record under Daboll than Chicago has under Eberflus. McDaniel and O'Connell both have winning records.

The Chicago Bears do not know how to hire head coaches

Now, we are seeing Kevin O'Connell work his magic with a quarterback who has struggled everywhere else he has been. Darnold was the third-overall pick in 2018. The Jets drafted him; unfortunately, he did not perform well enough to stick around. While in New York, Darnold finished his time there with a 15-25 record, 45 touchdowns, and 39 interceptions. Darnold then moved on to Carolina and San Francisco before he landed in Minnesota.

Now with the Vikings, Darnold has come into his own. Kevin O'Connell has been able to pull the best out of Darnold. The Vikings are 7-2 on the season. He has 17 passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions -- of those came in today's game. He is on pace for just over 4,000 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, and 18 interceptions. This has been a blessing while rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy heals from a meniscus injury that is keeping him out for the entire season.

McCarthy is going to be in good hands though. O'Connell recently had this to say to Anthony Richardson.

Words of encouragement for an opposing sophomore quarterback who is struggling isn't unheard of, however, seeing O'Connell engage with Richardson in this way plus his success with Sam Darnold tells us McCarthy has a great coach looking over him.

It's sad to see that Chicago never even considered O'Connell, and yet the Vikings clearly have a better head coach who was hired the same season. Matt LaFleur in Green Bay is clearly better than Matt Eberflus. He was available when Chicago hired Matt Nagy. Dan Campbell does not fit into the category of being a miss by Chicago, but the Bears clearly have the worst head coach in the division. They haven't had a good coach since Lovie Smith.

All of these mis-hires prove the Chicago Bears are awful at hiring head coaches. Maybe they should stop relying on a single agent for their general manager and coaching hires. Even Shane Waldron has the same agent as Matt Eberflus and Ryan Poles. Trace Armstrong has too much influence on this current regime. It's time for the Chicago Bears to think for themselves.