I hope Bears fans’ blood pressures have come down to normal by now. What an insane win (frankly, what an insane Lions loss) in Week 1 at Ford Field.
I watched the condensed version of the game last night — I knew the outcome and I still couldn’t believe what I was watching. I might be crazy enough to put this comeback on par with their legendary comeback against Arizona in 2006. (I still vote the Arizona game, but come on. The drama was almost equally wild.) And yeah, I put it out for a vote.
Which Chicago Bears comeback was crazier?
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 16, 2020
Regardless, the Bears are 1-0 and preparing for their home opener against the New York Giants this week. The Giants lost to the Steelers on Monday Night Football. The Bears defeated the Giants at Soldier Field last year in a pretty ugly game. The Bears are the better team, but will they play like it?
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With that, let’s reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions — always appreciate the participation. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Mailbag
I see a few things if I'm Ryan Pace:
1. What's the salary cap in 2021?
2. Do I need to keep aside any money for Mitch? (Unlikely, but a consideration.)
3. What is Robinson asking for vs. what can I reasonably pay? What truly is market value?
It's easier said than done.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 16, 2020
(Author’s Note — An update as of 9/18 — ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported that it appears the Bears are looking at Robinson’s AAV of around $15-16M, whereas Robinson is seeking closer to $18-19M. It seems minor, but the reality is the holdup is likely related to length of contract and guarantees. That’s where the bulk of negotiation is likely happening, especially with the uncertain cap and QB situation.)
I don't think he's turned a corner yet. He had moments of awfulness and moments of brilliance, but a lot more meh than not. He needs to cut down on the variance in his performance. Until he does, he'll be the same Mitch.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 15, 2020
The Bears miss Eddie Goldman and they need their LBs to fill run gaps properly. I expect New York to do what Matthew Stafford did at his best on Sunday — use the quick game, neutralize Khalil Mack, and make the Bears tackle. The Giants have good players in space.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 15, 2020
He played well, overall. Without a legitimate training camp or preseason, he held his own against some damn good receivers, and contributed three PBUs — one that led to Fuller's INT, and one that won the game at the end.
He's a very promising player, but ask me in Week 4.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 15, 2020
That won't work this year. A new QB still has to learn the offense/verbiage and there wouldn't be enough time, even if they acquired him tomorrow. The Bears are riding with this QB room.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 15, 2020
Ask me again in Week 4. I need to see a few games before I know for sure, but a few players to watch specifically — Danny Trevathan, Akiem Hicks, Jaylon Johnson, and obviously Robert Quinn.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 15, 2020
No team should play man against the Bears. For one, their weapons are very good, good enough to beat man. Second, even Mitch Trubisky knows where to go with the football against man coverage!
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 15, 2020
I do envision that, yes. Keep in mind, the Bears have three RBs they like in the passing game, and one of them is also a receiver (Cordarrelle Patterson). There's a lot they can do on offense.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 15, 2020
Because Mitch is bad. Honestly, that's it. Nagy's play calling was excellent on Sunday and Mitch still was largely bad for three quarters. At some point, the QB just doesn't have it. For three years, Mitch has shown he doesn't have it. This is his last shot.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 15, 2020
Assuming you mean Allen Robinson?
I think it really depends on the salary cap situation in 2021, and whether or not the Bears think Mitch Trubisky deserves a rich extension (and the amount of cap will be taken there). We won't know until later.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 15, 2020
I think the Bears have the weapons to potentially survive Robinson's departure after this season, if guys like Miller take the step I expect them to take. But can Mitch learn to trust someone else as much as he does Robinson?
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 15, 2020
Teams started scheming specifically to neutralize the pass rush, especially after Akiem Hicks got hurt. Moving the pocket away from Khalil Mack, double- and triple-teaming him, very quick passes, you name it.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 15, 2020
They miss Eddie Goldman a lot. Bilal Nichols is a good player, but Eddie Goldman is an elite player.
Robert Quinn will help a ton in the pass rush department, but they also need their LBs to play better than they did on Sunday. Trevathan's performance was a bit discouraging.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 15, 2020
People want him to succeed so badly, and I get it. He's likable, he works hard, shows good leadership, etc. But right now, he just isn't good, and hasn't been.
The A-Rob situation is something to monitor, but Bears fans should probably be concerned at this point.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 15, 2020
If Danny Trevathan is still struggling, then yes, I can see it. The Bears used Deon Bush over Trevathan late in the game on Sunday and saw success. Hopefully, Trevathan can find himself again. When he's on, he's excellent.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 15, 2020
Trubisky probably earned another week by default, thanks to his 3 TDs in the fourth quarter. Even if the Bears lose, he'd have kept it for Week 2.
But he HAS to be more consistent. He cannot be bad for three quarters and then turn it on in the final quarter vs. good teams.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 15, 2020
I'm still concerned about the defense. Namely, Danny Trevathan. He needs to be better than he was on Sunday. He got quite burned a few times — even when the ball didn't go to the person he was covering.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 15, 2020
It depends. The Bears have the luxury of the franchise tag, but I doubt they want to go there. Their best case scenario is to sign Robinson to a deal. The compensation from a trade or the compensatory pick from letting him walk might be around the same.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) September 15, 2020
