The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won Super Bowl LV on Sunday, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs to deliver Tom Brady his record-extending seventh Super Bowl title.
How many Super Bowls for Tom Brady? pic.twitter.com/0GTGwgWpil
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 8, 2021
The Chicago Bears, who beat Brady and the Bucs in the regular season, became “Transitive Property” Champions.
The Bears beat the Super Bowl champs.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) February 8, 2021
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(Between Mitch Trubisky winning the first ever “NVP” and the Bears achieving this claim to success, it was some playoff season for Chicago!)
As we head into a crucial offseason for Ryan Pace, Matt Nagy and this Bears franchise in general, rumors have already started surrounding the Bears, namely around the QB position. Chicago also had some turnover on their coaching staff, so they’ll go into a crucial season with some new voices attempting to lead a rebound, in addition to familiar voices getting elevated.
The new league year starts in March, but the fun’s already getting started.
With that, let’s reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag. Thanks to all who submitted questions. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Bears Mailbag
Do you trust Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy to actually help this team? Or do you see them continuing to do as they have been?
— Hank Pym (@BearJewNerd) February 9, 2021
If you’re implying that Pace and Nagy haven’t been helping the Bears, that seems a bit harsh. There have been challenges, struggles and mistakes made for sure, but this team still doesn’t have a losing record over the last three years, and have made the playoffs twice — regardless of the amended format.
Pace’s biggest issues were the Mitch Trubisky miss and the inadequate evaluation of the offensive line talent. To his credit, there are many reports of the Bears talking with major OL prospects at the Senior Bowl. From a QB perspective, while the Nick Foles trade didn’t pan out, remember the Bears did pursue Tom Brady and Teddy Bridgewater first, and Foles became a reasonable backup option, given his history. And now, the Bears have reportedly held firm in their discussions with Philadelphia about Carson Wentz, and they are also doing their due diligence on other QBs on the market (e.g. Derek Carr). These are improvements from Pace’s process in the past.
Nagy is still growing in his role as a head coach and there were plenty of promising traits he displayed in 2020. While the Trubisky benching was criticized because of how Foles played and the Bears’ improvements after the bye week, it was not a decision made in a vacuum based on one game in Atlanta, as everyone knows. His willingness to consider and then eventually relinquish play calling duties was a sign of self-scouting. The bye week changes the Bears made in reverting back to some Week 1-2 schematic changes was another example. So there are examples of growth, and we’ll see what Nagy decides to do with his offense once they have a new QB in place.
Chicago is embroiled in a battle of Trubisky “Truthers” and “Haters.” The reality is, rooting for the kid to succeed and acknowledging he is a bad QB *can* coexist. Trubisky will never be a “win because of” QB, due to his inability to process/think. The Bears saw what happened when disciplined defenses (Green Bay, New Orleans) took away his rollouts — he had no answers. When there is *that* much dependency on scheme, there just isn’t much else the Bears could’ve done.
Now, if a QB with prior success and true ability, like Derek Carr, is brought to Chicago and he wilts as well, then we can talk about lining up new coaching candidates. The Bears have a tough schedule in 2021 on paper, so they will need the new coaches to flourish more than ever.
For now, sit back and enjoy the offseason. It’ll be a busy one.
A few realistic options (not all of them great, but all still upgrades):
Wentz
Carr
Mariota
Winston
Fitzpatrick
Z.Wilson
M.Jones— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 11, 2021
If the Bears are targeting a QB in the draft, they can't expect one to drop to 20. They'll have to trade up.
The issue is, there are plenty of teams looking for a QB. So Chicago might have to trade up into the Top 10 for someone they really want. (I'd watch Zach Wilson.)
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 11, 2021
From what I've read, it appears the Carson Wentz price is primarily being leaked by the Eagles to the media to drum up a trade market. To the Bears' credit, it appears they are staying firm on what they think Wentz is worth.
I'd offer a 2, or a 1 IF a pick comes back to CHI.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 10, 2021
Trubisky is 99.99% gone, no matter what happens with this team at QB.
If Foles goes to Philadelphia in a Wentz trade, I'd imagine the Bears explore a veteran backup, and also draft a "project" QB in the later rounds. If they trade for Wentz, he's their guy for the time being.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 10, 2021
Pace will do whatever it takes. His job and his reputation in the NFL is on the line. Desperation leads to any and all avenues explored.
I just don't think Kaepernick has anything left at this point. I saw his workout video from a couple years ago … very underwhelming.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 10, 2021
The Bears could end up with Wentz, but if they do, it appears they will be smart about it and not bid against themselves. Reportedly, that's what they are doing.
The Bears are also reportedly in on Carr, so that's certainly something to monitor.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 10, 2021
Haven't seen many rumors about this. My guess is the Bears probably don't want to invest (what will be) heavily in a 36-year old QB, though he is still extremely effective.
The Bears would rather continue in their pursuit of Derek Carr and Carson Wentz.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 10, 2021
If I had to guess right now, Roseman is going to cave and trade Wentz for something *reasonable*. It's all about who blinks first — the Bears, Colts and other teams interested in Wentz all know the Eagles don't have a hand to play. So they are content to wait this out.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 10, 2021
Here are the traits I look at and what I see on tape from a consistency standpoint.
Arm strength: Baker, by far.
Natural accuracy: Baker.
Ball placement: Baker.
Deep ball: Baker.
Pocket presence: Baker.
Elusiveness: Tied.
Speed: Watson.
Processing: Baker.— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 10, 2021
We're talking significant trade packages at that point. I'd imagine at least two first rounders, two second rounders and multiple other mid-round picks would have to be in play to make that kind of move up.
Is it worth it? If the Bears find a true franchise QB, then yes.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 11, 2021
Mariota is a legitimate starting QB in this league and he can be had for pennies.
Rosen needs a fair opportunity, but I am OK passing on him.
A Watson trade would cripple the Bears' ability to support him with what he needs, and he'll run into the same issues he did in Houston.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) February 10, 2021
