Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Chicago Bears weighed all options in regards to OC Aaron Kromer’s job status following the news that he was the source of Rapoport’s report that criticized QB Jay Cutler.
“I am told all options were on the table as far as Aaron Kromer’s job status,” Rapoport said. “Marc Trestman, the head coach, considered everything including firing him. In the end, he decided Aaron Kromer should stay employed by the Chicago Bears. One reason which is Kromer is a very valued assistant on that staff. In fact, I’m told by another Bears source, a different Bears source, that when they hired Trestman, hiring Kromer as offensive coordinator was considered as important as everything.”
According to Rapoport, Cutler was “hurt” by Kromer’s criticism, despite the fact that he handled things pretty well in his press conference earlier in the week.
“He was hurt,” Rapoport said. “Talking to people close to Jay Cutler, he was definitely hurt by this. A little stung and certainly surprised that Aaron Kromer would do something like this.”
Meanwhile, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that Cutler has “privately he has been fuming” about the situation and it’s hard to imagine him working with Kromer beyond this season.
La Canfora mentions that clauses included in Bears coaching contracts regarding guidelines for dealing with the media could result in Kromer being terminated “for cause.”
La Canfora goes on to lay out the issues surrounding HC Marc Trestman and GM Phil Emery.
Bears ownership is considered to be “very conservative,” which means that parting ways with a second-year coach and general manager is not something they would generally do. However, La Canfora adds that the outrage from fans could force them to consider making some changes.
According to La Canfora, the Bears could have a hard time luring top candidates to the organization with team president Ted Phillips still in charge.
Even if Chicago elects to keep Trestman and Emery for another season, changes are expected to be made at the coordinator level.
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