If we’ve learned anything as Chicago Bears fans over the last quarter-century, it is that change doesn’t always lead to better things. Ted Phillips was a constant with the organization for 23 years as team president. In that time, the Bears only had six playoff trips. He wasn’t solely responsible for that, but his name was tied to every major decision at the top of the organization, specifically the hiring of every GM and head coach. So when news dropped that Phillips was retiring, it was met with relief. Maybe the Bears would get somebody better. Enter Kevin Warren.
At first glance, it seemed like a strong choice. He’d served in NFL front offices for two decades and spent the past few years running the Big Ten conference. His football experience felt like a breath of fresh air compared to Phillips. In some ways, that has proven true. Warren has modernized how the Bears operate in some way, particularly by spending money on necessary improvements. However, according to Tyler Dunne of Go Long, some inside Halas Hall have begun questioning his business acumen.
Most of it centers on his decisions regarding the new stadium.
Even after Ted Phillips, the previous president, purchased 326 acres in Arlington Heights at the price of $197.2 million, his replacement (Warren) pivoted to the city upon arrival. The 180-degree turn perplexed many on the business side considering Phillips obviously explored a city stadium himself and got nowhere in Chicago’s gridlocked politics. Warren partnered with mayor Brandon Johnson, pissed off governor JB Pritzker and eventually realized that building a stadium on the city’s lakefront is unrealistic…
…“He’s trying to wordsmith his way out of guaranteeing that there would be shovels in the ground,” one ex-Bears exec says. Warren’s stint with the Minnesota Vikings coincided with the arrival of their U.S. Bank Stadium palace. Several on the Bears’ business side are starting to wonder how instrumental he was with this project.
Kevin Warren needs a win in the worst way.
His decision to delay the Arlington Heights push in favor of trying to stay downtown always felt pointless. Illinois politics is notorious for being unforgiving. Kevin Warren didn’t approach things the right way. He seemed to assume Governor Pritzker would be eager to work with him on getting something done. That was a horrid miscalculation. The president clearly hadn’t done his homework on the type of man he was dealing with. By the time Warren realized his mistake, it was too late.
Now he’s scrambling to get the Arlington plans back on track. However, the fall veto session no longer looks like it will provide the legislation needed to begin construction. That means the Bears must wait until the government reconvenes in the spring. Warren better hope he finally gets the result he’s looking for. If he doesn’t, the public will start questioning what purpose he actually serves.
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