Chicago Bears: The Groupthink Problem

"Groupthink" is a phenomenon that describes how poor decisions are often made in a group process. Social psychologists argue that groupthink occurs when group members reach a consensus without critically analyzing and evaluating ideas and different viewpoints.

A common example used to explain the phenomenon revolves around the 1986 Challenger Shuttle disaster. Shuttle engineers knew that a faulty "O-ring" could cause a shuttle explosion. Instead of preventing the launch, the engineers fell into a lull, kept quiet, and assimilated into the NASA "norm" of keeping to the scheduled launch date. The engineers and group members worried that any alternative viewpoint would be met with reprisal from NASA, including termination from employment or the loss of NASA funds on other projects. This poor group decision wound up costing the lives of all crew members.

Similarly (although without the loss of life), the Chicago Bears are entering into an era of groupthink. Lovie Smith's desire to retain every past and future Tony Dungy Cover 2 disciple has cost the Bears the ability to think critically and evaluate the pros and cons of its defensive scheme. If the rumors are true, Lovie Smith will retain his amateur defensive coordinator (Babich), and hire his long time buddy, Rod Marinelli and his son in law, Joe Barry to coach the defensive line and linebackers, respectively. Put simply, Lovie Smith is creating NASA circa 1986.

With a cabinet of "friendly" defensive coaches aligned with the Cover 2 bias, the Bears defense will continue its down-slide. No alternative viewpoints will be discussed in meetings. Just a bunch of yes men. Despite skepticism that the Cover 2 no longer fits the Bears' personnel, the Bears will continue to display the scheme because its coordinators fear reprisal from King Lovie. Just ask Ron Rivera.

This is no way to run a leading professional space agency. Its no way to run a legendary professional football team.