Fields or Williams? It doesn’t matter if the Bears don’t invest in their foundation

Justin Fields or Caleb Williams?

That's the conundrum for the Bears these days.

Or so it would seem.

Here's my contention: It doesn't matter.

That's right. It doesn't matter if the Bears stick with Fields, trade the No. 1 pick in the draft and fill holes at wide receiver and on the offensive and defensive lines. It also doesn't matter if the Bears trade Fields, draft Williams and do their best to fill the aforementioned holes.

Why?

Simple: The reason the Bears haven't been successful over the long term is because they refuse to invest in their foundation. Carpenters and auto mechanics know exactly what I mean. Doesn't matter how shiny a house or car is on the outside; if the foundation, studs, engine or transmission is faulty, you're going to have serious problems.

That, in a nutshell, is the Bears.

There hasn't been a solid foundation since Mike Ditka was coach and Jim Finks was assembling rosters.

This point, which I've screamed about for years, was hammered home – and I mean HAMMERED home – by Hall of Fame wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson during a nearly half-hour discussion with David Kaplan last month.

Johnson made many salient points, but the most critical was this: Coaching matters. A lot.

After starting with a terrible coach in Richie Kotite, Johnson had the good fortune of being led by Bill Parcells (with the Jets), Tony Dungy (with the Bucs) and John Gruden (also Bucs). “Those are pretty decent coaches,” Johnson said. “This kid (Fields) is being disserviced in Chicago.”

Same goes for almost every player who has walked through the doors at Halas Hall since 1991. Since Mike Ditka was fired, only Lovie Smith would be considered an above average coach.

But it goes deeper than that. The list of offensive coordinators includes Matt Cavanaugh, Gary Crowton, John Shoop, Terry Shea, Ron Turner, Mike Martz, Aaron Kromer, Adam Gase, Dowell Loggains, Bill Lazor and Luke Getsy.

Talk about depressing.

And the defensive coordinators haven't been much better.

“Take a look at the Houston sidelines,” Johnson said to make a point on why QB CJ Stroud had such a successful first season. “Who is controlling the sidelines? DeMeco Ryans, an ex-player. Feels like he could still play. Players resonate with him. They rock with him.

“Now look at Chicago's sidelines. Look at that head coach. Does that excite you?

“There's a major difference in what he can get out of (Stroud). If Justin Fields was in Houston, they'd be in the same position (in the playoffs). And if CJ Stroud was in Chicago? Ehh.”

Over the last 30 years, the Bears have had plenty of talented players on both sides of the ball.

Plenty.

But they've never had an Andy Reid.

A Bill Belichick.

A Mike Tomlin.

A Dungy, Parcells, Gruden, Tom Landry, Bill Walsh, Bill Cowher, Jimmy Johnson, Chuck Knoll, Jeff Fisher, Dick Vermeil, Sean Payton or Mike Holmgren.

Well, not since George Halas stalked the sidelines.

They had a chance to go after Jim Harbaugh this past off-season, but elected to stick with Matt Eberflus.

Why? Most would say it's about the money – and they're almost certainly right.

But that's where the money should be spent: On the foundation.

Coaches who possess brilliant offensive and/or defensive minds and also inspire are somewhat rare, but not impossible to find.

You just have to be willing to pony up the dough.

The Bears have never done this. And until they do, things will continue to crumble all around them.