Bears fans wanting change after a depressing end to the 2011 season are likely to be disappointed.
Lovie Smith certainly isn’t going anywhere. All signs point towards G.M. Jerry Angelo sticking around as well.
CSNChicago.com’s John Mullin writes that Angelo will be back in 2012 “barring a monumental shift of Halas Hall thinking.”
Mullin has spoken to various sources within the organization that point to a couple key factors regarding Angelo’s status.
Angelo has already been deeply involved in 2012 planning. That likely wouldn’t happen if Angelo was truly a “lame duck” about to leave. Mullin also points to Angelo’s “excellent” relationship with the Bears’ new Chairman George McCaskey.
It’s believed the Bears want to gear back up for a title run next year with a healthy Jay Cutler at quarterback. Angelo will reportedly be given the resources to make “significant moves again” this offseason.
At some point, the Urlacher-Lovie-Angelo era will have to end. But this doesn’t look like a franchise that is ready to blow things up anytime soon.