Chicago Bears are targeting former Houston Texans GM Rick Smith

Mark this off as a surprise former Houston Texans GM Rick Smith.

The Chicago Bears have been the NFL’s kings of mismanagement over the past three years, choosing to stay with inept leaders as Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace ran the team into the ground. Since both of them have been fired, Chicago’s interest has shifted to replace Pace with former Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith.

Smith initially took a leave of absence in 2017 to take care of his wife, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Sadly, she passed away in 2019, and Smith hasn’t been back in the organization since his departure. However, according to the Chicago Tribune’s Bears beat writer Dan Wiederer, the interest is “mutual” between both parties.

Smith had spent time with the franchise for most of its existence from 2006-2017. It’s safe to say his work helped the Texans win four AFC South Division titles.

Rick Smith led the Houston Texans to good times, can do the same in Chicago.

Smith was regarded as one of the best NFL GMs during his tenure. Drafting J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, DeAndre Hopkins, and Deshaun Watson (before the current situation happened) makes for an impressive resume.

Chicago needs that kind of drafting to compete with the Green Bay Packers, who have had a Patriots-like reign on the NFC North for this entire millennia, as they’ve won the division twelve times.

Add in the fact that the Bears have Justin Fields and potentially Allen Robinson on offense (if he wants to come back), along with Akiem Hicks and Kahlil Mack, Chicago could be a sleeping giant. Staying healthy is the challenge, but the pieces are there to succeed in one of the NFL’s weakest divisions.

Best of luck to Mr. Smith; it sure seems like his former team could use his services right now too.