Chicago Cubs: ESPN Chicago host openly criticizes Craig Counsell

When the Cubs convinced Counsell to leave the divisional rival Milwaukee Brewers to join the Cubs, it shocked many in the baseball world. After finishing 83-79 in 2024, the Cubs finished 92-70 and made the wild-card. Entering this season, many experts picked the Cubs to win the NL Central and to challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers for the National League.

Despite a slow start to the season, two 10-game winning streaks gave them a 29-16 record. After losing on Tuesday night, they are now 29-26 and last in the NL Central.

The losing streak has tested fans’ patience like never before. They are getting sick and tired of Counsell’s monotone voice and nonchalant attitude. His calm demeanor has also become a subject of ire, as many feel the rest of the team has shown no fire and no sense of urgency, much like Counsell.

And Counsell is desperately trying to change the mojo by benching struggling veterans like Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner, Seiya Suzuki, and Dansby Swans

on. But nothing seems to be working. Even worse, no one seems to be responding.

Counsell’s contract doesn’t protect him from criticism and accountability. His reputation doesn’t protect him from scrutiny. When a manager becomes the topic of conversation, that’s the first stage of a hot seat forming.

And now, the media is starting to change its tone.

Let’s make one thing clear: Counsell isn’t getting fired anytime soon. The season is not over just yet. The Cubs are too talented to keep losing like this. But if the Cubs continue to spiral and the postseason hope is in jeopardy, the question won’t be “Is Counsell on the hot seat?” It will be “How hot can a seat get for a manager making $40 million?”

He is residing over another collapse that has put the Cubs behind the eight-ball, much like his two previous seasons. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers continue to thrive despite the limited resources, and the NL Central is theirs to lose again in 2026. That is not a good look on Counsell.

And now, for the first time since he arrived, one of the long-time respected Chicago media members is asking whether the man who was supposed to elevate the Cubs is actually part of the problem.

“What has Counsell done that has made any difference?”

Right now, the only honest answer is: not enough.