A new era is coming for the Chicago Bears and fans are over the moon about it. The Athletic’s Dan Pompei is reporting Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips will retire following the 2022 NFL season. Phillips has been with the organization since 1983, working his way up to become president and CEO in 1999 and has held that title ever since.
Buy Bears TicketsBREAKING: Bears president/CEO Ted Phillips retiring at the end of the 2022 season. My exclusive story for @theathletic here. https://t.co/PUujAz6Vln
— Dan Pompei (@danpompei) September 2, 2022
According to Pompei, Phillips made the decision to retire last fall, citing the COVID-19 pandemic made him reflect on his life and priorities. The 65-year old will stay on until February, 2023.
Under Phillips, the Bears haven’t had the sustained success they were once used to seeing back in the 1980s. Since 1999, they have made the postseason just six times, winning three playoff games and no Super Bowl championships. From a business standpoint, however, Phillips made his mark by overseeing the renovations at Soldier Field in the early 2000s. The major knock against him, however, is that his business background didn’t lend itself to making football decisions as the team president. That was already being adjusted after yet another disappointing season led to the firings of Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy earlier this year.
Phillips’ role had changed this past offseason when chairman George McCaskey announced new general manager Ryan Poles would report to him and not the team president. Now, the front office will see even more of a shakeup come February.
The news of Phillips’ impending retirement sent shockwaves on social media, but Bears fans appear to be united in their happiness as real change is finally coming to Halas Hall.
Ted Phillips retiring! It’s all coming together. It’s happening. 🐻⬇️
— Jack Wright (@BearDownJack) September 2, 2022
It’s time to get someone with a football background as the President of the #Bears.
People with no prior experience working in football should not be making football decisions for this organization.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) September 2, 2022
Happy Friday https://t.co/1vgO825UjX
— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) September 2, 2022
Bring me Trace Armstrong. #Bears https://t.co/m7F9F10kbQ
— Bill Zimmerman (@ZimmermanSXM) September 2, 2022
Ted Phillips’s reign as the #Bears Team President and CEO is finally coming to an end.
He’s held that title since 1999, and had been with the organization since 1984. It has been long past due for a new Team President to take over.
It’s finally happening.
— Erik Duerrwaechter (@EDuerrwaechter) September 2, 2022
The future just keeps gettin brighter for the Bears 😎
— 🐻B3ARDOWN🐻 (@B3ARDOWNN) September 2, 2022
TED IS GONEEEE
— liz (@lissette2s) September 2, 2022
Ted Phillips' reign atop the Bears spanned five U.S. presidents and produced three playoff victories.
— Kevin Kaduk (@KevinKaduk) September 2, 2022
