Chicago Bears offseason

[UMFan83]

Everything the Bears needed to happen outside of them winning out has happened. Winning out was always going to be the hardest part and clearly they weren’t good enough, but if they had...the Bears would have been in with a win on Sunday.

[gflore34]

Is Mariota one a real possibility for the Bears? Heard the average passer rating in the NFL is 91, Mariota' had year below 91 - 75 in 2017 - otherwise, he's an average QB which is big upgrade over Mitch.

[Derwood]

Is Mariota one a real possibility for the Bears? Heard the average passer rating in the NFL is 91, Mariota' had year below 91 - 75 in 2017 - otherwise, he's an average QB which is big upgrade over Mitch.

 

Mariota is poo

[jersey cubs fan]

Is Mariota one a real possibility for the Bears? Heard the average passer rating in the NFL is 91, Mariota' had year below 91 - 75 in 2017 - otherwise, he's an average QB which is big upgrade over Mitch.

The thing that makes the most sense in bringing in Mariotta is the presence of Helfrich, but the idea of bringing back all of the offensive coaches is kind of crazy. Helfrich was a failed college head coach when he took the job. And there's reason to believe he's not up to the task. I think they need to bring in somebody with NFL coaching pedigree. They should probably replace Helfrich and once they do that, the idea of bringing in Mariotta makes even less sense.

[WrigleyField 22]

Is Mariota one a real possibility for the Bears? Heard the average passer rating in the NFL is 91, Mariota' had year below 91 - 75 in 2017 - otherwise, he's an average QB which is big upgrade over Mitch.

The thing that makes the most sense in bringing in Mariotta is the presence of Helfrich, but the idea of bringing back all of the offensive coaches is kind of crazy. Helfrich was a failed college head coach when he took the job. And there's reason to believe he's not up to the task. I think they need to bring in somebody with NFL coaching pedigree. They should probably replace Helfrich and once they do that, the idea of bringing in Mariotta makes even less sense.

The part of Mariota that makes sense is that your scheme would be very QB agnostic. Whether Trubisky or Mariota, you're covering roughly the same strengths and weaknesses.

 

Personally I just want them to go as cheaply and high upside at the QB spot. A draft pick and a youngish UFA with decent physical tools, even if unproven. Throw cap resources elsewhere and double down on the plan, hoping for some bounce backs.

[Wilson A2000]

Trubisky, Carr, Tannehill, Newton, Rivers, Mariota, or Foles next year. Who do you want to be the starter or at least who do you want to compete with Trubisky?

[WrigleyField 22]

Trubisky, Carr, Tannehill, Newton, Rivers, Mariota, or Foles next year. Who do you want to be the starter or at least who do you want to compete with Trubisky?

Whoever comes cheapest of those.

[jersey cubs fan]

I want it to be Trubisky and then I don't give a crap which non Chase Daniel competes with him.

[raw]

Trubisky, Carr, Tannehill, Newton, Rivers, Mariota, or Foles next year. Who do you want to be the starter or at least who do you want to compete with Trubisky?

 

Trubisky- due 9M if here or not, might as well be here.

 

Carr- would have to be cut (there is cap savings to be had by Oakland). But probably not getting a paycut from 20Mil making this year.

 

Tannehill- probably played himself into the 20-22M/year range. Likely staying in Tennessee anyway

 

Newton- If he's cut and/or they are willing to trade him, it's probably because his body is shot. Would cost 20+Mil/year for damaged goods

 

Rivers- interesting, would require 25Mil + most likely. Not sure what it means if he's allowed to reach the market. Probably not happening w/ age & price tag

 

Mariota- as stated, appeal is tied to Helfrich. Helfrich appeal is tied to a tree. Maybe you get him for 5-8M for 1 year, and hope to catch lightning in a bottle

 

Foles- could be interesting depending on how the Jags view him. I assume they are going to give him another shot to earn his contract next year and write this year off as him getting hurt Week 1. But if Minshew mania gets the best of them, could they actually try to get out of his deal? By this I mean, do they maybe tie a pick to someone taking him off their hands? We've seen this with the Texans and Brock Osweiler. They gave up a 2nd and other picks and got back a 4th and 10Mil cap space. Foles isn't Osweiler bad, so maybe something like Foles for Floyd and a swap of 3rd/4th picks or something like that with the Bears getting the higher pick. But I also am not a Foles fan and wouldn't be a big fan of this move either way.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Foles

[UK]

If you're willing to have Trubisky be a 9 mil backup, give me Bridgewater, draft a QB in the mid rounds and let Mitch walk after next year.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

If you're willing to have Trubisky be a 9 mil backup, give me Bridgewater, draft a QB in the mid rounds and let Mitch walk after next year.

 

This is my nightmare offseason. You use more or less all your cap space locking yourself in for years to a painfully average QB, and you still need at least two starters on D (plus a ton of depth), your OL is in shambles and your TE position is a black hole.

 

That's a "dear god, let me get some bounces this year so we can maybe go 10-6 with a divisional round exit and that's probably enough to save my job" offseason.

[gflore34]

If you're willing to have Trubisky be a 9 mil backup, give me Bridgewater, draft a QB in the mid rounds and let Mitch walk after next year.

 

This is my nightmare offseason. You use more or less all your cap space locking yourself in for years to a painfully average QB, and you still need at least two starters on D (plus a ton of depth), your OL is in shambles and your TE position is a black hole.

 

That's a "dear god, let me get some bounces this year so we can maybe go 10-6 with a divisional round exit and that's probably enough to save my job" offseason.

 

Beyond the light bulb suddenly going on for Mitch in season 3 of Nagy' offense what's the solution?

[UK]

If you're willing to have Trubisky be a 9 mil backup, give me Bridgewater, draft a QB in the mid rounds and let Mitch walk after next year.

 

This is my nightmare offseason. You use more or less all your cap space locking yourself in for years to a painfully average QB, and you still need at least two starters on D (plus a ton of depth), your OL is in shambles and your TE position is a black hole.

 

That's a "dear god, let me get some bounces this year so we can maybe go 10-6 with a divisional round exit and that's probably enough to save my job" offseason.

 

Agreed as I'd much rather go with Mitch and get rid of them all after next year but if I'm going after some FA to compete with Mitch, they better be decent. That previous list minus Carr is all below avg.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

If you're willing to have Trubisky be a 9 mil backup, give me Bridgewater, draft a QB in the mid rounds and let Mitch walk after next year.

 

This is my nightmare offseason. You use more or less all your cap space locking yourself in for years to a painfully average QB, and you still need at least two starters on D (plus a ton of depth), your OL is in shambles and your TE position is a black hole.

 

That's a "dear god, let me get some bounces this year so we can maybe go 10-6 with a divisional round exit and that's probably enough to save my job" offseason.

 

Beyond the light bulb suddenly going on for Mitch in season 3 of Nagy' offense what's the solution?

 

Cry while you wait for 2020 to end. It's a garbage-time season, a lost cause that you have to play out.

 

Your choices are "fix QB and let the rest of the roster suck" or "fix the rest of the roster and run it back with Trubisky." You aren't winning a Super Bowl with either choice, so either is fine with me as long as they stick to short-term deals and don't lock themselves into a QB long-term.

[WrigleyField 22]

 

This is my nightmare offseason. You use more or less all your cap space locking yourself in for years to a painfully average QB, and you still need at least two starters on D (plus a ton of depth), your OL is in shambles and your TE position is a black hole.

 

That's a "dear god, let me get some bounces this year so we can maybe go 10-6 with a divisional round exit and that's probably enough to save my job" offseason.

 

Beyond the light bulb suddenly going on for Mitch in season 3 of Nagy' offense what's the solution?

 

Cry while you wait for 2020 to end. It's a garbage-time season, a lost cause that you have to play out.

 

Your choices are "fix QB and let the rest of the roster suck" or "fix the rest of the roster and run it back with Trubisky." You aren't winning a Super Bowl with either choice, so either is fine with me as long as they stick to short-term deals and don't lock themselves into a QB long-term.

Yup the window was always narrowly planned around 2018-20 unless Mitch propelled into stardom. Ride it out.

[jersey cubs fan]

 

Beyond the light bulb suddenly going on for Mitch in season 3 of Nagy' offense what's the solution?

 

Cry while you wait for 2020 to end. It's a garbage-time season, a lost cause that you have to play out.

 

Your choices are "fix QB and let the rest of the roster suck" or "fix the rest of the roster and run it back with Trubisky." You aren't winning a Super Bowl with either choice, so either is fine with me as long as they stick to short-term deals and don't lock themselves into a QB long-term.

Yup the window was always narrowly planned around 2018-20 unless Mitch propelled into stardom. Ride it out.

Thirded

[raw]

 

Cry while you wait for 2020 to end. It's a garbage-time season, a lost cause that you have to play out.

 

Your choices are "fix QB and let the rest of the roster suck" or "fix the rest of the roster and run it back with Trubisky." You aren't winning a Super Bowl with either choice, so either is fine with me as long as they stick to short-term deals and don't lock themselves into a QB long-term.

Yup the window was always narrowly planned around 2018-20 unless Mitch propelled into stardom. Ride it out.

Thirded

 

Fourthded. I mentioned Case Keenum earlier, and I'm going to do it again. He should be cheap, will willingly take a backup role while the team gives Mitch one last try to be something. And if he has to play, he's a guy that has caught fire before. He had almost a full season of strong play with the Vikings. He started off the season really well this year (ironically, until the Bears got a hold of him in Week 3). And he's been good the 3 times he's come on in relief. HE's been lightning in the bottle before. Maybe he can do it again and Foles his way into a deep playoff run.

 

My (realistic) dream scenario would be Trubisky, Keenum and a draft pick in the QB room. Best case, Jordan Love falls to the 2nd and the Bears run to the podium to take him. Worst case, use that 4th round comp pick on a guy like Gordon from Washington St. or Nate Stanley from Iowa, and you have a longterm backup for 2020+ with hopes of becoming a starter or trade fodder like Minshew or a Nick Mullens or something.

[raw]

It does sound like the Bears are going to get rid of Helfrich and bring a new offensive coordinator. Rumors have it that the new OC will NOT be Brad Childress, who's in a consulting role of something now.

 

I was going thru the Bears OC history and my God is it ugly.

 

Since 1993, they've had 11 different coordinators on 12 different hires (Ron Turner with 2 stints at OC).

 

 

Only 2 have had lateral or forward moves in the NFL AFTER leaving Chicago (Gase who we all knew would be here for only 1 year, and Loggains who was hired twice as OC by Gase and would not have been hired by any other coach)...again unless you count Turner 2.0

Three were college coaches with 0 NFL experience (Turner 1.0, Crowton, Helfrich).

Two were offensive line coaches by trade (Tice, Kromer)

Three times they hired "the next guy up" after a mediocre OC (Tice, Loggains, Shoop)

Twice they've hired offensive head coaches, both times with an OC who wasn't a QB coach or play caller (Kromer, Helfrich)

Only 2 had called plays at the NFL level before being Bears OC (Martz, Gase), unless you count Turner 2.0. Martz had been out of the NFL for 3 years before his hire. Gase came with John Fox because he had to play out a season before getting a HC offer.

Never have they hired a guy with any other options.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I don't think top candidates are gonna be lining up for a shot at this job, either. There might be worse places to be a new OC in the NFL right now, but there can't be many.

[WrigleyField 22]

I don't think top candidates are gonna be lining up for a shot at this job, either. There might be worse places to be a new OC in the NFL right now, but there can't be many.

The best hope is probably a retread candidate. Someone who has been a HC or play calling OC a few times, but is getting looked over in favor of up and comers. Like Martz was.

 

Or someone who is such an unknown he's not even and up and comer, and they just totally luck out, thus they'll get hired away in two years.

[UK]

As long as Nagy is the playcaller and it's his system, the OC is non-existent as far as value. Typical Bears and typical behavior of what a shitty run organization does.

 

How did Ragone avoid this one? He's more responsible than Helfrich.

[raw]

As long as Nagy is the playcaller and it's his system, the OC is non-existent as far as value. Typical Bears and typical behavior of what a horsefeathers run organization does.

 

How did Ragone avoid this one? He's more responsible than Helfrich.

 

I don't think the OC has to call plays to have an impact. He just has to have some input, especially in the run game design. He also needs to have the ability to notice tendencies, as I feel Nagy's worst aspect of his playcalling is the inability to set plays up based on previous play calls, defensive tendencies, etc. A guy that has "been there before" could really have a lot of value, even if not calling plays...though i believe Nagy would give up playcalling if the right OC comes along.

 

Pat Schurmur is the most interesting possibility to me. If he doesn't survive with the Giants (and this is his 2nd stint of back-to-back sub 6-win seasons as a HC), then he has experience and ties to Nagy.

 

As for up and comers, Mike Kafka, Chiefs QB coach comes to mind. Other than that, not too familiar with names. Maybe Freddie Kitchens if he doesn't survive in Cleveland.

[UK]

As long as Nagy is the playcaller and it's his system, the OC is non-existent as far as value. Typical Bears and typical behavior of what a horsefeathers run organization does.

 

How did Ragone avoid this one? He's more responsible than Helfrich.

 

I don't think the OC has to call plays to have an impact. He just has to have some input, especially in the run game design. He also needs to have the ability to notice tendencies, as I feel Nagy's worst aspect of his playcalling is the inability to set plays up based on previous play calls, defensive tendencies, etc. A guy that has "been there before" could really have a lot of value, even if not calling plays...though i believe Nagy would give up playcalling if the right OC comes along.

 

Pat Schurmur is the most interesting possibility to me. If he doesn't survive with the Giants (and this is his 2nd stint of back-to-back sub 6-win seasons as a HC), then he has experience and ties to Nagy.

 

As for up and comers, Mike Kafka, Chiefs QB coach comes to mind. Other than that, not too familiar with names. Maybe Freddie Kitchens if he doesn't survive in Cleveland.

 

I'm hoping for Shurmur as OC and playcaller. I don't know how a high quality coach would want to come into a lame duck situation combined with a HC who calls the plays.

[WrigleyField 22]

Yea Shurmur would probably fit that best case retread scenario.

 

It sounds like Patricia is safe if Detroit, but if he for some reason was canned Darrell Bevell could become available too. Has ties to Childress.