The 2014 Bears season led to a disappointing finale on Sunday, as the Bears dropped their fifth straight loss and missed the playoffs for the seventh time in the past eight seasons.
At a press conference Monday, the team announced the hiring of Ernie Accorsi, the former executive for the New York Giants, to consult the team during the G.M. search. The Bears official Twitter account tweeted that Accorsi has a list of potential candidates.
The last time the Bears made the playoffs was in the 2010-2011 season, losing in the NFC Championship game to the rivaled Green Bay Packers. Since that season, the Bears have fired two head coaches and have owned one of the worst defenses in the NFL.
"It was beyond embarrassing this year," said Tonya McLane, the owner of Da Bears Den, a Bears-themed barbershop in Rock Island.
Before the 2014-2015 season began, McLane had Superbowl hopes for the Bears. That projection ended after the Bears fell to 5-12 on the season, clinching last place in the NFC North Division.
"I would like to have seen Trestman stay one more year," McLane said. "I just want to see what he could really, truly do with a quarterback versus a Jay Cutler."
Other Bears fans felt differently.
"I liked Jay Cutler, he was just too up and down with his emotions," David Flores said while getting his haircut.
Jay Cutler recently signed a seven-year contract worth $126 million, $54 million of that is guaranteed. In the 2014 season, Cutler threw for a total of 3,812 yards, 28 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
"I just think we need change," Flores added.
Change is what Bears fans will receive. The organization has six months until the NFL draft, and the team owns the number seven pick in the draft.