After three straight losses, the Chicago Bears have plummeted to a 5-4 state of mediocrity following a 5-1 start. Now, the franchise is at a pretty significant crossroads, not just in their season, but in this regime’s tenure. A listless loss (offensively) to the Tennessee Titans in Nashville illustrated the same old story once again.
Thread: A few extra thoughts on Bears-Titans…
1. That loss was as ugly a game as we've ever seen the Bears play. Not only are they sinking fast after their third straight loss, but there are no more signs it'll get better. In fact, they're finding new ways to lose.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 9, 2020
The Bears’ personnel isn’t good, especially on the offensive line, but it appears Matt Nagy is out of answers. In fact, this week, for the first time, Nagy seemed legitimately open to giving up play calling duties. While I don’t think that will really solve anything because all of the offensive coaches are involved in designing and installing the game plans, it’s possible a change for the sake of change helps.
Who knows?
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
But Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy better hope things change and turn around quickly. A loss at home, in prime time, to the 3-5 Minnesota Vikings this coming Monday night? It could be the beginning of the end.
With that, let’s reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Bears Mailbag
It'd be hard to justify. Lovie Smith was fired for going 10-6 after a 7-1 start, so there's certainly a more "surprising" precedent in this case. People may use COVID-19 as an excuse, but it really shouldn't be. Every team is navigating this issue.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 10, 2020
The Chargers just need a new coach. Anthony Lynn is a liability. Their team is ready.
I think the Bears may prefer following KC's model. They had everything (OL, weapons, coaching, etc.) in place, AND a decent QB in Smith. They took Mahomes anyway.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 11, 2020
I'll probably study his plays from 2018 through the years in more depth this offseason to get a full picture, but it's a good question. I know he has the ability to scheme receivers open, but he's running a one-size-fits-all offense as if it's Madden, and that's not realistic.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 10, 2020
A lot of this depends on what happens with Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy. But no matter what, the Bears have to rebuild the QB spot. Nick Foles is not the long term answer.
My guess would be the Bears focus on the OL and other infrastructure early and bring back Foles for a year.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 10, 2020
They do know it's important. They thought they had more than enough answers in the building, and it's clear that they were wrong.
What remains to be seen is if Pace & Nagy will be given another chance to fix it, or if the Bears will start fresh.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 10, 2020
I haven't seen a ton of RPOs on tape, either, and it's a great point. Part of it could be they just don't trust their OL enough to run them. While Foles reads certain keys, the rest of the OL needs to hold up, and it doesn't seem capable of doing that.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 11, 2020
Clancy Barone admitted that the Bears don't scheme any routes for him (or anyone) in particular. If he's on the field for a play, he'll run his route and it's up to Nick Foles to decide if he's open, based on the context of the play. Pretty stunning to me.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 10, 2020
Firing Nagy is a seismic move that I don't think Ryan Pace would make.
But if Nagy doesn't give up play calling this week for the sake of change, and the Bears lose to the Vikings (and look bad offensively while losing)? I might mandate he let someone else call plays.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 10, 2020
Listen to his press conference from Monday, if you can. It sounded like he is legitimately considering it. His tone and answer were decidedly different than after the Rams game, when it was first brought up.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 10, 2020
If I'm the current GM of the Bears and everything remains as is on the field through year-end? I'm probably looking for a new job…
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 10, 2020
You're not the first person to ask me this recently, and you won't be the last.
Unfortunately, Bears fans have a rough life. Perhaps a price to pay for having history's greatest team at one point.
(Or, Bears fans are footing the bill for the Bulls getting Michael Jordan.)
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 10, 2020
My expectation is the Bears will choose to rebuild up front first. What's the point in a new QB if the infrastructure is dangerously broken? The Bears don't want a Sam Darnold situation.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 10, 2020
It sounds like Lamar Miller is making progress, so if Montgomery is out, I'd expect Miller to be elevated.
If Miller also isn't ready, then expect a tandem of Ryan Nall and Artavis Pierce (finally) making an appearance.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 10, 2020
It's still entirely up in the air. There's a good chance the Bears stick with Matt Nagy, unless the Bears finish worse than 8-8. A playoff berth and Nagy is absolutely back.
Too much needs to play out before we know for sure.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 10, 2020
