Chiefs News: Chris Ballard May Have Scared Bears Away

Chris Ballard may end up staying in Kansas City after all.

The Chicago Bears hired Ryan Pace to be their new general manager this week, a decision that surprised many around the NFL who thought Chris Ballard was the obvious selection. But one report coming out of Chicago says Ballard’s interview may have scared the Bears away from bringing Ballard ‘back home’ to Chicago.

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Here’s what former Bears director of college scouting Greg Gabriel said to a Chicago radio station recently.

"“Chris may have scared them a little bit. Chris knows the problems that are within the organization and had ideas on how to clean them up, and I’m hearing that they [Bears ownership] didn’t necessarily like hearing that.“There was a lot of talk about let’s go in a different direction as far as people who have been affiliated with the organization. I’m hearing that may have played into it.”"

Ballard passed on a chance to be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager last season and turned down interviews with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. With most of the remaining general manager positions now filled, it looks as if Ballard will remain in Kansas City for at least one more year.

Chicago’s loss may end up being Kansas City’s gain. For one, Ballard is considered to be one of the most qualified scouting minds in the NFL so keeping him around is a bonus for the Chiefs as they continue to overhaul the roster. Additionally, his leaving for Chicago may have also meant Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub leaving with him to be the head coach for the Bears. Now both seem destined to stay for one more season.

This may end up being a good deal for Ballard in the end as the Bears organization seems to be in complete disarray. Gabriel notes how some of the issues in the Bears organization isn’t necessarily set up for general managers and coaches to come in and succeed.

"“Not necessarily talking about the structure of the roster, but just the organization as a whole. Chris has a very strong mindset. If he wasn’t going to have things exactly the way he wanted them, he’s just not going to put himself in a situation where he’s going to fall. He doesn’t want to go into a situation and be like [former Bears general manager] Phil Emery and two years later be fired.”"

Now would be an excellent time to thank Clark Hunt for being a reasonable owner. Stability starts with ownership, and it would appear the Bears lack the kind of stability needed to deal with wholesale change.