BOULDER, Colo. — The Chicago Bears finally snapped their five-game losing streak on Thanksgiving Day. A last-second (literally) field goal by Cairo Santos lifted the Bears to a 16-14 win at Ford Field in Detroit. The win got them to 4-7.
Turkey Day dub. 😏#CHIvsDET | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/8bHkTU6Kk0
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 25, 2021
The questions surrounding the circus at Halas Hall didn’t go away, of course. Matt Nagy had a hellish week leading up to the game, with reports about his imminent firing leaking from several sources. But the win got the Bears a reprieve — at least for one week.
Chicago takes on Arizona at Soldier Field this Sunday. Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins return for the Cardinals, who have found ways to keep winning despite those injuries. It’s a well-balanced and well-coached team, led by Kliff Kingsbury.
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If the Bears want to get serious about righting their season, they can take a step towards that by upsetting the Cardinals this Sunday…
…So, realistically, Sunday is the beginning of the end — not just for the 2021 season, but for Matt Nagy’s tenure in Chicago.
With that, let’s reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Bears Mailbag
Kellen Moore is a great offensive mind for sure.
Question with him is can he command a full locker room and hire strong staff?
Bears need a good CEO.
Nagy is a decent CEO, to his credit, but that'll be the question for all prospective HCs.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 1, 2021
One of the biggest things about a head coach is that they have to be able to command the full team, and also have a strong support staff / set of coaches to actually coach the team — review tape, teach concepts, install schemes, etc.
Jim Harbaugh, for example, has built strong staffs everywhere, most notably in San Francisco when he had Greg Roman as his OC and Vic Fangio has his DC. His brother, John Harbaugh, has enjoyed the benefits of strong staffs as well.
This is a critical aspect of the job, and often it can be a result of connections/relationships across the NFL. The longer someone has worked in the business, the better the chances their network will also be strong.
Moore is 33 years old, having been a backup QB for several years in the NFL before transitioning to coaching. What kind of connections would he really have at this point in terms of hiring a staff?
That’s the biggest question mark. He is an excellent offensive mind — very innovative and smart. But can he build a competent/strong staff when he is in charge of a lot more than the offense?
That’ll be the biggest question with him.
Love Rick Smith as a candidate. He's one of my favorites to take over if the Bears look to make a change.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 1, 2021
Don't care about statistics, honestly.
I need to see Fields make quick, smart decisions, and get the ball out accurately.
He did a pretty good job against San Francisco and Pittsburgh.
He struggled against Baltimore.
Need to see more of the SF/PIT type of play.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 1, 2021
Compared to the rest of the NFL's QBs: D
On a rookie curve: C-
He's shown improvement in some areas, he's tough as nails, and he's fun.
The hope is he ends the year consistently in at least the C/C+ range.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 1, 2021
The Ravens were blitzing pretty relentlessly in that game and the Bears needed six/seven man-protections a lot to counteract those Cover-0 blitzes.
That's their style.
It's a good thing the Bears made the adjustment.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 1, 2021
I honestly think they would love to retain Andy Dalton. Question is whether he'd be open to it.
If I'm the Bears, I look into bringing in some young developmental names as well.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 1, 2021
The Bears will certainly have some turnover with a new regime as they try to put their own spin on the roster.
They won't get rid of potential building blocks (Kmet, Mooney, Borom, Jenkins, Jaylon, Roquan). And some vets may stay a while.
But the goal would be to get younger.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 1, 2021
I'd imagine at least three new faces at WR next year. Don't be surprised if they bring someone like Byrd back on a modest contract as well, for depth.
I'd imagine at least two draft picks and a free agent signing at WR. (Robinson is as good as gone.)
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 1, 2021
I have some overall concerns with Harbaugh but can't deny his ability to build great staffs.
I think Ryan would be an interesting DC candidate for sure, I just don't know if the Bears have the personnel at this stage to employ his type of defense. They'd need better man-CBs.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 1, 2021
Jakeem Grant has started seeing some action in that "adjuster" role in the offense that Cohen used to play. I'd imagine his responsibilities increase. Nagy alluded to it.
Cohen is likely out this year, with a focus on getting back for '22 now.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 1, 2021
