AP

The departure of Bears G.M. Jerry Angelo immediately raised the question: Could Lovie Smith get the axe too?

The Bears have quickly shut down that speculation, announcing that Smith will coach the team in 2012.

Smith signed a two-year extension last offseason through 2013, so he’s not entering a “lame duck” year. He is entering a very awkward situation.

Chicago will look for a general manager that will be able to pick players, but not pick a head coach. This has rarely worked out in the past. The two men may see the roster differently and a new G.M. always wants “his guy.”

Usually, a situation like this results in the coach getting fired the next year. Ted Thompson and Mike Sherman in Green Bay is one of many similar examples.

There are a lot of moving parts in Chicago. The defensive core is getting old and is built to play Smith’s defense. The offense could have a new coordinator. Again.

Smith will need to do one of his best coaching jobs in 2012 or he won’t get to the end of his contract.