Your 2020 Chicago Bears qualified for the NFL playoffs last Sunday by virtue of the Los Angeles Rams’ win over the Arizona Cardinals. Yay! Of course, the Bears fell flat against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field in their win-and-in opportunity, but they still backed in. Yay, right?
A few extra thoughts on Packers-Bears:
1. We know the Bears aren't serious Super Bowl contenders. They don't have a legitimate QB, injuries are killing them, and their defensive coordinator is overmatched every week.
But the playoffs are rare in Chicago. Try to enjoy them.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 4, 2021
What’s that? No? You’re not happy because they, as Twitter likes to point out for some reason, didn’t “deserve” it?
Look, no one is saying they have a (good) chance of beating the New Orleans Saints this Sunday at the Superdome. But, their season does continue into the Wild Card round while many other teams’ seasons have ended. It’s still an accomplishment. And if it wasn’t the Bears in the seventh seed, then who else would it be?
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Okay, so which of the NFC teams that didn't make the playoffs were more deserving than the Bears?
The Cardinals? They are worse than the Bears.
The Vikings? Chicago just beat them in a "tiebreaker" game.
The 49ers? Too injured.
The Cowboys/Giants? I'm laughing. https://t.co/JqvGbdrfVZ
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 4, 2021
The reality is, the Bears’ season will likely end this Sunday. And they will then be faced with evaluating their organization from top to bottom — starting with Ted Phillips. Will it lead to wholesale changes?
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
A good amount, honestly. The defense has been worse than their own standards for a lot of this year, starting with the Rams game.
Over the past six weeks, the Bears have provided the offense that was required to win (assuming a great defense). But the defense isn't great.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 5, 2021
Nagy has always had input/influence in the scheme, play design, game plans and play calls.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 5, 2021
A few things:
– New DC who can scheme properly.
– Make improvements on the OL (namely, OT).
– And, as always, the most important piece, figure out an answer at QB.— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 6, 2021
I think he'll be fired this offseason. If I was Matt Nagy, I'd have fired him after the Lions game.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 5, 2021
We're not likely to hear about player discontent with Chuck Pagano, but it's clear that he does not maximize the talent on this roster. Yes, losing Eddie Goldman was huge, but the lack of adjustments to constant, repetitive problems is mind-boggling.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 5, 2021
I assume the Bears will lose badly on Sunday. Here are the moves I envision in such a scenario:
Phillips — reassigned
Pace — fired (or promoted to VP of Football Ops)
Nagy — retained
Pagano — fired
Trubisky — gone— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 5, 2021
It's a tough question. Massie is a better RT than Ifedi, but I would not mess with the chemistry.
It took the coaches a long time to find this OL combination that works sufficiently. Even though it's easier to replace an OT for cohesion purposes, it might not be worth it.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 5, 2021
Yes, I do. From what I've read, there may be some pressure on McCaskey to make structural changes, so that's the route he will go. My guess would be:
— Hire a VP of Football Ops to be the "Football" Ted Phillips.
— Have them evaluate Pace and Nagy for a year.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 6, 2021
A few things:
Pick better coverage schemes on defense.
Tackle.
Convert in the red zone.
Protect the football.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 5, 2021
Certainly would target the best player available, but a few positions I'd hope to find, especially with QB an unlikely option:
OL (specifically OT)
CB
EDGE
WR— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 6, 2021
A few guys come to mind:
Wade Phillips
Rex Ryan
Dan Quinn
Jim Leonhard— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 5, 2021
I'd be surprised if Roquan plays on Sunday. That elbow injury looked too reminiscent of Akiem Hicks' injury from last year.
Mooney might play, per what @unclemike21 shared yesterday.
Jaylon Johnson is still day-to-day. We'll find out more about him and Buster Skrine tomorrow.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 5, 2021
I honestly thought the Bears' game plan was pretty sound against the Packers. Let's be serious, the defense, once again, had close to zero answers for Green Bay. The ball control plan was a good counter.
The running game just stalled, and Mitch couldn't overcome it.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 6, 2021
They may be forced to trade away pieces in order to retool, regardless. Their cap situation is a mess.
My guess is they won't opt for a full rebuild, but it may feel that way based on some of the guys they'll be forced to trade. Keep an eye on Fuller, Hicks, and even Mack.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 6, 2021
Good question.
Ask anyone who covers the team (OG media/beat writers, blogs, etc.) — I'd imagine most feel (including me) it's better to cover a competitive team (which the Bears are).
Are there changes to be made? Yes. But for now, playoff football is a good thing.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 5, 2021
