January 5, 2020
Prior to the 2019 season the Bears felt if they found a
reliable kicker it would take them to the Super Bowl. They could not foresee a
myriad of other problems. The Bears recently called a press conference to
discuss the season. The two biggest problems for the Bears are the people
addressing the media, General Manager Ryan Pace and Coach Matt Nagy. Their
fingerprints are all over this disappointing 8-8 record.
Unlike 2018, this year’s Bear defense was ravaged by
injuries. Pro-Bowler, Akiem Hicks went down early in the year. Opposing teams
were able to double and sometimes triple team Khalil Mack, and the pass rush
was non-existent the rest of the year. With no pressure, opposing quarterbacks
were able to pick apart the secondary. The bears thought Chuck Pagano could
replace Vic Fangio without skipping a beat. Pagano never fixed this problem
with different schemes or blitz packages. The Bears lost the heart and soul of
the defense when they lost Danny Trevathan. Nick Kwiatkoski did an admiral job
filling in however, he can’t replace the leadership and veteran savvy of
Trevathan. Roquan Smith had regained last year’s form when he went down with 3
games left. None the less the Bears defense ranked eighth in the league. Pace moved up in the draft to pick up Leonard
Floyd 3 years ago. Although he has not improved and was invisible this year
they have exercised his fifth year option.
If you don’t admit the problem, you can’t solve it. This is
where the Bears are when it comes to quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Pace is fully
committed to Trubisky because he can’t admit his mistake of drafting him second
overall in 2017. He and Nagy are talking about improvement when he actually
regressed. Nagy was brought in to develop Trubisky who ranked 28th
in passer efficiency. He has failed miserably. Nagy’s awful play calling
doesn’t help. Nagy can’t install a
running game. While most teams run to set up the pass he does the opposite.
Also, you could have a touchdown drive with eight running plays and two passes.
Nagy doesn’t like that type of offense so he would change to his pass happy
offense on the next possession. The offensive line is a mess. They drafted
center James Daniels but continue playing him in the line while Cody Whitehair
snaps the ball, often erratically. Charles Leno Jr. who is signed for 2 more
years is the most penalized offensive lineman in the NFL. Another fine 4-year contract from Pace. They
got no production from tight end. Trey Burton was injured all year. Adam
Shaheen, the third pick in the second round of the 2017 draft, is another Pace
bust that can’t play. They had to start players from the practice squad. The
only positive on offense is Allen Robinson.
There is a lot of work to be done this off-season. Hopefully
key players recover from their injuries. The softer schedule should help. However, Nagy is still your coach and Trubisky
is still the quarterback. Pace said he is considering an upgrade at quarterback
and thinking of letting Chase Daniel and Tyler Bray go. What kind of chance is
there of getting a capable quarterback will sign just to back up Trubisky? I am really excited to see who the Bears
select with the sixth round pick they obtained for the Jordan Howard trade…
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