Cubs may be faced with an inevitable Craig Counsell problem that once seemed impossible

In a sports city that loves fire and passion, Craig Counsell has been a divisive figure over the last three years. When the Chicago Cubs unceremoniously fired David Ross while poaching Counsell away from the Milwaukee Brewers, the message was clear. Through no uncertain terms, the Cubs were pointing to Counsell as being the biggest difference between the two organizations.

Since Counsell's arrival, the Brewers have reminder Jed Hoyer and Co. just how wrong they were with that assessment. The Brewers have won the National League Central in each of the last two seasons, and are once again in first place. Meanwhile, the Cubs have handed Counsell the longest losing streak of his managerial career, and he's starting to sound like he's out of answers.

Under nearly any other circumstance, had a team with expectations lost nine consecutive games and quickly approaching the bottom of their division, the manager's status with the team would be in question. Considering the circumstances in which he was hired, there isn't a scenario where the Cubs make that type of decision during the 2026 season. For better or worse, Counsell is going to be afforded the opportunity to right the ship.

The reality of the situation is the Cubs don't want to deal with the PR nightmare that is identifying Ross as the scapegoat only to fire Counsell two and a half seasons later. It's the type of move that would instantly tarnish the legitimacy of Jed Hoyer as the team's President of Baseball Operations. Even that would be problematic, considering Hoyer inked a contract extension with the Cubs last summer.

If not now, Craig Counsell could be headed toward the Cubs' hot seat

But if Counsell reaches the end of 2026 season and the Cubs once again were unable to overtake the Brewers for first place in the National League Central, that's when the conversation over his job status will start in earnest.

Counsell would have two years left on his current contract with the Cubs, and by the end of the 2027 season (assuming there's a baseball season), there will need to be a decision on a potential contract extension. As of this moment, it's hard to say that Counsell is deserving of an extension. He's proven that he's not the difference maker the Cubs expected him to be, and that's been the biggest problem of his tenure.

Sure, he's not responsible for the Cubs having that expectation, but he's being paid to be one of the best managers in baseball, and there's been little confirmation to that end. If Counsell is going to correct that impression, it may take his biggest act yet in righting the ship that has been the Cubs' disappointing 2026 season.

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