The Chicago Bears are, somehow, 3-0. Nick Foles is the new starting quarterback moving forward, per Matt Nagy, after rescuing the Bears in Atlanta following Mitch Trubisky’s benching.
Yeah, a lot has happened since my last Bears Mailbag. Here was my Thoughts Thread from the game:
Thread: A few thoughts on the Bears-Falcons game…
1. Give Matt Nagy a lot of credit. Making a season- and franchise-altering move mid-game isn't easy, and I didn't think the Bears would ever do it. But something snapped for Nagy yesterday, and he pulled Trubisky. Gutsy.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 28, 2020
And my corresponding Thread on Coaches’ Film observations:
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Thread: Week 3 Bears-Falcons Coaches Film Observations…
1. Bears' first drive, 1st and 10 at midfield: Trubisky rolls left and launches the ball to no one. A Falcons defender almost picked it off. You can bet that bad decision/throw was the first play to irk Matt Nagy.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 29, 2020
The Bears will host the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field to ‘kick off’ the Nick Foles Era. It’ll be interesting to see how Foles responds to preparing like the starter all week, how the Bears game plan for their opponents with Foles at QB, and how defenses game plan for the Bears with a completely different QB at the helm.
With that, I reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Mailbag
More willingness to throw downfield (with better accuracy) so defenders aren't squatting on curl routes every play.
A more consistently executed passing game.
Quicker and smarter decisions.
RPOs re-installed and more properly read/run.
That's a few of the items.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 29, 2020
I don't expect the Bears to get away from running the ball, but expect a few things:
— Expect RPOs to be re-installed, because Foles can actually read them.
— Expect a ton of TE usage in the passing game.
— Expect a lot of freedom for Foles at the LOS.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 29, 2020
Offense: Consistent QB play. Nick Foles isn't Patrick Mahomes, but he will avoid a roller-coaster ride, which Matt Nagy desperately needs out of his QB.
Defense: Find a way to stop the run. I have faith, overall, in the pass rush and secondary. Just stop the run.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 29, 2020
I'm not sure on the protection question, but I do believe there is a limit.
The Bears believe Tyler Bray is a valuable member of the QB room and want to keep him around. They just can't afford a roster spot for him atm.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 29, 2020
I don't know about "early" — they just have to ensure they feel good enough about the prospect and that it is the best player on their board. But I certainly expect Chicago to draft a QB.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 30, 2020
I'm not going to speculate on that one anymore — I've been wrong a few times. I thought it was a slam dunk to happen before the season; now, I'm worried Robinson may not actually want to re-sign. Maybe Trubisky's benching will help things.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 29, 2020
Inherent mobility is not a prerequisite to run this offense, so Nick Foles *not* being mobile is not a detriment to this offense by itself.
The Bears will definitely miss Tarik Cohen. They can't replace what he can do. They'll have to be creative in absorbing that loss.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 29, 2020
We've seen the defense play motivated when there are signs that the offense has itself together. We saw this in the fourth quarter in Detroit, in the first half against the Giants, and in the fourth quarter in Atlanta. If the offense is scoring, the defense will be great.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 29, 2020
Anthony Miller took over PR duties in Atlanta after Cohen left with injury, but I'd imagine Darnell Mooney or Ted Ginn get a serious look.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 29, 2020
There is a chance of that, but keep in mind the Bears went into the offseason tweaking their offense to tailor to everyone's strengths better — that includes the OL. They are run blocking much better under Juan Castillo. I don't think they throw everything out overnight.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 29, 2020
The immediate answer is they probably will elevate Artavis Pierce from the practice squad, but I imagine the Bears will be looking for help here. I'd watch Lamar Miller and potentially even Theo Riddick.
On Punt Returns, I'd think Darnell Mooney gets first dibs.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 29, 2020
He is playing much better this year. He looks strong, he looks confident, he looks quick, and he looks polished. He bulked up in the offseason and it's showing in his play. His development has been awesome to watch.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 29, 2020
Indy's defense is ranked first against the pass, and the Bears' own defense could be in for a long, rough game against that running game without a run stuffer like Eddie Goldman playing.
I expect the Bears to get off the bus running. Expect lots of Montgomery, Nall, etc.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 29, 2020
It's an interesting question, and it's hard to say. Everyone in the locker room loves Mitch Trubisky and believe in him as a leader. But they also weren't blind to his faults. You can see some frustration show up on tape at times. Foles gives them significantly more hope.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 29, 2020
The biggest issue is Eddie Goldman being gone. He is irreplaceable in the run game (and on the defensive line as a whole). The Bears miss him, and opposing OLs know that.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 29, 2020
Depending on how Nick Foles plays, he'll either become the de facto starter in 2021 or be the backup.
Mitch is likely gone.
I expect the Bears to invest a draft pick earlyish on a QB as a developmental prospect.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 29, 2020
