So after much reflection, here are my thoughts on this Bears season:
While the loss to the Eagles is obviously a bit disappointing, the season this team had was nothing short of amazing for Bears fans. For a team like this to go 12-4 when most, including myself, probably had them as a 9-7 or 10-6 team even after the trade for Khalil Mack, speaks to how great of a coaching job it was by Nagy and the Bears coaching staff. One of the first things that Nagy and his staff wanted to do was change the culture inside the locker room and it appears that they have not only done that but quite a good job of it. While the playcalling of Nagy was certainly called in question multiple times this season, I feel a lot better about where this team stands on the offensive side of the ball than I have in years. The team still has a young elite defense and an offense that is still improving and can improve more and it would not surprise me to not only see Trubisky but also the running game take a jump in year 2 under Nagy's system.
The Bears do have a lot of key free agents coming up this offseason with guys like Bobby Massie, Aaron Lynch, Bryce Callahan and Adrian Amos out there as unrestricted free agents so it will be interesting to see who they decide to bring back and who they decide to let go. While it would obviously be disappointing to see a guy like Callahan leave given how good a season he had as a slot corner, I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a big pay day from another club.
Now next season is not going to be easy, playing a first place schedule which will include games against the AFC West and NFC East along with a road game at the Rams and a home game vs. the Saints. It would not surprise me in the least to see this team be better next year but have a worse record given how tough the schedule will be.
While the loss to the Eagles is obviously a bit disappointing, the season this team had was nothing short of amazing for Bears fans. For a team like this to go 12-4 when most, including myself, probably had them as a 9-7 or 10-6 team even after the trade for Khalil Mack, speaks to how great of a coaching job it was by Nagy and the Bears coaching staff. One of the first things that Nagy and his staff wanted to do was change the culture inside the locker room and it appears that they have not only done that but quite a good job of it. While the playcalling of Nagy was certainly called in question multiple times this season, I feel a lot better about where this team stands on the offensive side of the ball than I have in years. The team still has a young elite defense and an offense that is still improving and can improve more and it would not surprise me to not only see Trubisky but also the running game take a jump in year 2 under Nagy's system.
The Bears do have a lot of key free agents coming up this offseason with guys like Bobby Massie, Aaron Lynch, Bryce Callahan and Adrian Amos out there as unrestricted free agents so it will be interesting to see who they decide to bring back and who they decide to let go. While it would obviously be disappointing to see a guy like Callahan leave given how good a season he had as a slot corner, I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a big pay day from another club.
Now next season is not going to be easy, playing a first place schedule which will include games against the AFC West and NFC East along with a road game at the Rams and a home game vs. the Saints. It would not surprise me in the least to see this team be better next year but have a worse record given how tough the schedule will be.