Chicago Bears 2017-2018

champaignchris · Jan 10, 2018

If the Bears can...

1. Keep the defensive personnel intact and retain Fangio or replace him with someone else who can do the job,
2. Fill out the receiving corps with actual NFL starting quality receivers (Mike Wallace and Jarvis Landry plus a draft pick, for example - Jimmy Graham might be a nice Shaheen stop gap... Think Pace might have Graham's phone number from their Saints days?),
3. Add some depth to the o-line, particularly at tackle, someone to push Leno for the starting spot,
4. See reasonable development from Trubisky...

There's no reason why they can't be a 7 or 8 win team next year. Maybe not make the playoffs but at least spitting distance from the Wild Card. With similar incremental improvement from Trubisky in 2019, they should be in the playoffs.

That's the trajectory the Bears should be on. If they're still struggling to 7 wins in 2019, we'll be seeing another wholesale house cleaning.

RockfordIllini · Jan 10, 2018

Agreed. And I actually think the Bears are in better than their record indicated. They had 3 really solid wins this year (Car, Pit, Bal), and were actually in most games where Glennon wasn't turning it over 4 times in 1 half.

They were 1 blown pass coverage and 2 dropped TD passes from beating the Falcons. They were unlucky with a couple of calls (the Miller TD that was reversed against NO. The touchdown/fumble/touchback reversal against GB). Who knows how those games turn out if they catch a break or 2. But O Line is decent. Running game is solid. Inman emerged as a solid target. Need a couple of more receivers, but should be able to upgrade there through the draft and free agency. There's decent receivers out there. Don't need Antonio Brown.

My only concern is if they can't keep Fangio, now we have to start all over again with turning over the roster to fit the new DC's scheme. That's how bad teams stay bad. Would think it would be hard to keep him after he interviewed for HC job and didn't get it. Seems like guys usually bolt in those circumstances.

Fingers crossed they keep Fangio. A decent draft and a little bit better luck with injuries and they could be good next year!

champaignchris · Jan 10, 2018

As for expectations on Trubisky...

From the perspective of where he was drafted and looking at some of the other QBs' second seasons in the League recently...

I think we need to see something on the order of 62% completion percentage, 3,200+ yards, 28-ish TDs, and about a 2.5-1 TD to INT ratiio. Assuming health and he has any receivers at all to work with, if we don't see something on that order, it's going to be a real reason for concern.

champaignchris · Jan 10, 2018

RockfordIllini said:
Inman emerged as a solid target. Need a couple of more receivers...

Inman is an unrestricted free agent. They need to replace/re-sign Inman and then get a couple more receivers beyond that. (I still don't like the fact they traded a draft pick to get him, even if it was only a 7th rounder.)

My only concern is if they can't keep Fangio, now we have to start all over again with turning over the roster to fit the new DC's scheme. That's how bad teams stay bad.

I have to believe they're going to try to keep Fangio and if they can't (because he simply wants to coach somewhere else), they'll replace him with someone who runs a similar system that requires similar personnel.

It's good news that the Packers signed someone else to be their DC. Stories out that they were definitely interested in him. I gotta wonder what would happen if Gruden and the Raiders came calling. Fangio is a West Coast guy and I think that's the most attractive job out West that will come open. The Cardinals, I suppose. Frankly, he'd be a damn good HC candidate for that job.

Illiniaaron · Jan 10, 2018

KBLEE said:
3 Years? That seems to be setting the bar a bit low. Teams in the NFL can make drastic changes from year to year. Look at the LA Rams. They were 4-12 in 2016 and jumped to 11-5 this year.

I agree--but look at what we've seen from the Bears in the last three years since they fired Trestman. I don't expect the Bears to make the playoffs next season, but they better be playing meaningful games well into December and they better make the playoffs in 2019.

Andman94 · Jan 11, 2018

According to Adam Schefter, the Bears have hired Mark Helfrich as OC

KBLEE · Jan 11, 2018

Andman94 said:
According to Adam Schefter, the Bears have hired Mark Helfrich as OC

Add him to Harry Hiestand for OL and Chris Tabor for special teams, and he's quickly assembling a nice staff. Just need to lock up Fangio...

champaignchris · Jan 11, 2018

KBLEE said:
Add him to Harry Hiestand for OL and Chris Tabor for special teams, and he's quickly assembling a nice staff. Just need to lock up Fangio...

The guys on WSCR this morning seemed to think that it would happen. The front office wants it. Nagy seems to be at least ok with it it (and frankly, if you were compiling your wish-list of DCs, if Fangio weren’t pretty high on that list, you probably shouldn’t be a HC), if not all in on Fangio returning. Sounds like money isn’t going to be an object. I really think it’ll come down to whether Fangio wants it or not.

They’re probably giving him a few days to mull it over.

The fact that the only rumors about anyone taking a run at him was the Packers and the Packers quickly hired a different DC is a very positive sign, and probably means that most other teams think he’s staying with the Bears.

champaignchris · Jan 12, 2018

Fangio back per Biggs and WSCR.

Pretty huge.

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Jan 12, 2018

champaignchris said:
Fangio back per Biggs and WSCR.

Pretty huge.

Not only back but they signed him to a 3 year extension.

And the coaching staff is pretty well set. Which is good because with the Senior Bowl practices starting the week after next, it'll give the staff an opportunity to scout out the talent.

While the Helfrich hire may have raised a few eyebrows, with Nagy calling the plays and the team likely going to more of a Reid/KC style offense, they're going to use Helfrich to incorporate some parts of the spread offense into what the Bears will run in Chicago.

jrichisamazing · Jan 13, 2018

KBLEE said:
3 Years? That seems to be setting the bar a bit low. Teams in the NFL can make drastic changes from year to year. Look at the LA Rams. They were 4-12 in 2016 and jumped to 11-5 this year.

They were 11-5, but were they ready to contend for a Super Bowl? Atlanta proved they weren't.

But you're right, there is definitely the potential for that turn around this year or next year. Especially now that we kept Fangio. Our O-line coach is very well respected which should not only help develop talent, but attract free agents. And Trubisky seems like the kind of guy I want to block for.

I have no doubt Nagy is going to get Cohen plenty of opportunities in space. Get a couple good pass-catchers (Calvin Ridley?), run a little spread, and watch this offense explode.

Illiniaaron · Feb 28, 2018

I see that Matt Forte retired today. Probably Pace's best move as Bears' GM was to not re-sign Forte and then draft Jordan Howard.

Illiniaaron · Mar 1, 2018

Looking at all the cuts Pace has made of all the free agents he had signed. On the one hand I appreciate his willingness to acknowledge reality and his past mistakes, on the other it looks like the Bears are treating his first three years in charge as almost on the job training. After three years of his tenure they still have a ton of holes to fill. I don't think this team will be very good this season.

champaignchris · Mar 2, 2018

Illiniaaron said:
Looking at all the cuts Pace has made of all the free agents he had signed. On the one hand I appreciate his willingness to acknowledge reality and his past mistakes, on the other it looks like the Bears are treating his first three years in charge as almost on the job training. After three years of his tenure they still have a ton of holes to fill. I don't think this team will be very good this season.

I still think it’s an open question as to how many of those decisions were Pace’s and how many of those decisions were coming from above and below. I think Pace is finally getting a free hand from above and has a coach who’s on the same page as he is.

That’s the optimistic take, anyway.

Illiniaaron · Mar 4, 2018

Currently the Bears have only 45 men signed for their 90 man roster. Clearly this is rebuild 2.0 under Pace.

Illiniaaron · Mar 6, 2018

Trade rumor that Dolphins would send Jarvis Landry, the no. 11 overall pick, and a third round pick to Bears for Jordan Howard and the no. 8 pick. Don't like it.

Shane Walsh · Mar 6, 2018

Illiniaaron said:
Trade rumor that Dolphins would send Jarvis Landry, the no. 11 overall pick, and a third round pick to Bears for Jordan Howard and the no. 8 pick. Don't like it.

Hub had some interesting comments on this yesterday afternoon on the B&G show. He does not think it is a good move either. Apparently the front office mostly likes Howard with the exception of one guy who might be floating a lot of mis-information ahead of franchise tag deadline and the start of free agency.

FiveStar · Mar 6, 2018

I like Howard (a lot) but running back shelf life is notoriously short anyway and there are usually a ton of options. He can be replaced fairly easily.

champaignchris · Mar 6, 2018

Illiniaaron said:
Trade rumor that Dolphins would send Jarvis Landry, the no. 11 overall pick, and a third round pick to Bears for Jordan Howard and the no. 8 pick. Don't like it.

With Robinson and Watkins likely hitting free agency now, I think it’s moot. With all that cap room, they’re not going to trade assets to get a wideout when they could just sign a comparable one in free agency.

Now, take the #8 pick out of the equation, and we can talk.

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Mar 6, 2018

I would only consider the Howard for Landry trade if the Bears were guaranteed to get Saquon Barkley. Otherwise it's a hard no from me.

KBLEE · Mar 7, 2018

I don't know why the Bears would even consider this (and highly doubt they are):

Howard > Landry
#8 > #11
3rd round pick not enough of a kicker to overcome the first 2

Illiniaaron · Mar 8, 2018

Bears put a transition tag on Fuller. Hope he keeps his improvement going.

ILL in IA · Mar 8, 2018

IlliniJim20 said:
Agree.

Unless Nagy really doesn't use rbs as much, I am not a fan of the proposal.

Howard and #11 ( pipe dream) I'd consider.

It's not that Nagy doesn't use the RB, but he uses the RB in the passing game a lot. Howard is a brutal pass catcher.

KBLEE · Mar 13, 2018

Bears reportedly expected to land Allen Robinson when free agency opens

Robinson intends to sign with the Chicago Bears on Wednesday when free agency opens, barring any last-minute issues, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Robinson, who was a second-round draft pick by the Jaguars in 2014, exploded in his second season, catching 80 passes for 1,400 yards with a league-high 14 touchdowns. He saw the same number of targets (151) the following year but saw his overall numbers decline (73 catches, 883 yards, six TDs). Robinson made just one catch in 2017 before suffering a torn ACL in the season opener.

champaignchris · Mar 13, 2018

He’s the best WR on the market. Only 24, but with some injury history.

Sounds like they’re also going to sign Chiefs slot receiver Albert Wilson. If so, they’ll have very quickly drastically upgraded their receiving corps.

Chicago Bears 2017-2018

aka "Captain Oblivious"