Winds of Change
In the winter of 1989 after Super Bowl XXIII, NFL owners and players ratified a new free agency plan. The plan would force teams to designated 37 players as "protected", with the rest becoming free agents able to sign with any team during the months of March and April. The first 1989 winds of change began to blow when the team left long-time veteran Super Bowl champion players Otis Wilson and Mike C. Richardson unprotected. Al Davis' Los Angeles Raiders signed both players, but neither would make the club that year and would be forced to retire. Another veteran of note unprotected was linebacker/defensive end Al Harris, who signed with Buddy Ryan's Philadelphia Eagles.
Changes to the organization and team continued throughout the spring. Longtime offensive coordinator Ed Hughes was "promoted" to the title of assistant Head Coach, which simply meant that assistant Greg Landry took over as offensive coordinator while Hughes was relegated to coaching receivers. Head coach Mike Ditka announced at this time that that starting quarterback position was up for grabs, meaning incumbents Jim McMahon, Mike Tomczak and 1987 first-round draft pick Jim Harbaugh would battle for the starting role. McMahon had started the previous NFC Championship Game but couldn't muster the team to more than three points, so his long-standing starting job was by no means safe.
Read more about this topic: 1989 Chicago Bears Season
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