Time For a Change

 

January 10, 2022

 

The Bears didn’t waste any time in firing Coach Matt Nagy and his cohort in crime, GM Ryan Pace. This should have happened prior to this year’s abysmal 6-11 record. In bringing them back this year, Bears CEO George McCaskey cited that they have a great collaboration. Last time I checked, collaboration does not win football games.

 

Ex-Coach Nagy (how I love how this sounds) was bad to the very end. The Bears turned the ball over on downs three times by trying to convert on fourth and one with pass plays. It showed he has no faith in his running game.  What’s even more flabbergasting is in the first quarter, David Montgomery gained four yards in the same situation. The Bears should have been up by three scores instead of just 14-0.

 

The Bear defense was wreaking havoc on Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins. They were forcing bad throws and he was sacked multiple times. Unlike Nagy, they made adjustments and went on to outscore the Bears 24-3. The Vikings added another touchdown on a pick six interception making the final score 31-17.

 

Once the Bears realized they were going to make changes, I hope they were researching possible replacements. I don’t have any idea who the new GM will be. The name surfacing to be the new coach is current Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh is a good choice. He is going to want big money and although being worth over a billion dollars the Bears may not want to hire him. The new regime will have its work cut out for them. Here’s a look at what’s in store.

 

The new coach’s offense will have Justin Fields, who showed flashes that he could be the franchise quarterback the Bears have been searching for many years. Wide receiver Darnell Mooney improved on his rookie season and should get even better. I hope they can keep Allen Robinson which would make a nice two-way punch. The Bears need either Marquise Goodwin, Damiere Byrd or Dazz Newsome to step up. I don’t know if it is a lack of talent or bad blocking schemes that make the Bears running game inept. David Montgomery has too many runs of no consequence and that may not be a long term answer. Cole Kmet looks solid at tight end.

 

With the return of Akiem Hicks in doubt and Eddie Goldman’s regression, the Bears defensive line may have a totally different look. Angelo Blackson and Trevis Gipson looked pretty good in limited playing time and may be starters next year. If Khalil Mack stays healthy, he and All-Pro Robert Quinn will give the Bears one of the best set of outside linebackers. Roquan Smith is one of the best inside linebackers. It’s amazing he’s not an All-Pro. With the exception of cornerback Jaylon Johnson, the secondary is a mess. A big mistake by Pace was overpaying safety Eddie Jackson. He was described as a ball hawker but has gone two years without an interception. He has also been beaten in coverage on multiple occasions.

 

 With All-Pro punt returner Jermaine Grant and kicker Cairo Santos, the special teams coverage units wipe out this edge.