After one of the worst starts in franchise history, Bears coach John Fox is sitting squarely on the hot seat according to a report by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

At 1-6, Fox now has a record of 7-16 in just under one-and-a-half seasons in Chicago. His ability to turn programs around in his second year has derailed with the Bears, as the only hope they have left in 2016 is to lose their way to the first pick of next April’s draft.

According to Rapoport, the Bears’ brass has hired an outside consultant to help evaluate the state of the franchise, with much of the focus on Fox.

Rival executives and coaches have roundly criticized almost everything the Bears have done this year. Some wonder if Fox is as invested as he’s been in the past.

Fox’s handling of the team’s quarterback situation has been criticized, largely because of his failure to commit to Jay Cutler once the veteran quarterback was healthy enough to play again. Fox routinely said that production would determine who was under center until Brian Hoyer’s broken arm forced the journeyman to injured reserve. The embattled coach now says that Cutler was always the team’s starter.

Rapoport shed some light on the quarterback situation at Halas Hall.

They’ll start a quarterback in Jay Cutler on Monday that the front office and Fox clearly aren’t including in their future plans. In fact, they kept him away from practice as Brian Hoyer started, clearing him right after Hoyer’s injury. Grudgingly, Cutler is now back under center, knowing this organization has tried to trade him in the past.

There’s no denying the failures of the coaching staff this season. Aside from Fox, offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains has looked overwhelmed all year long, failing to make the kind of halftime adjustments that separate good coaches from retreads. Even defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s system hasn’t been as good as advertised despite acquiring better player-fits for his defense.

The Bears owe it to their fans to make a change at season’s end if the trends from the first half of the year continue through December. The only reason Fox would survive for another season is his resume, which as we’ve seen already in 2016, is a moot point. In fact, one could argue the Broncos went from contender to champion by making the change from Fox to Kubiak, not exactly a highlight on his curriculum vitae.

It’s still too soon to send Fox to pasture, as a win over the Vikings in Week 8 could jumpstart a winning streak that shows hope for the future. The Bears are preparing for the more likely scenario, one that includes a head coaching search this winter.