Bears off-season thread 2022

[WrigleyField 22]

Final corresponding moves:

Joe Thomas and Caleb Johnson cut/waived. Tajae Sharpe to IR.

 

https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-claim-six-players-off-waivers-alex-leatherwood-alabama

 

Wonder if Harry is still destined for IR. Would mean another move and basically has to be for a WR with the current health/depth.

 

Trade in works? Vet FA non-waiver target?

 

Also I think the 2022 UDFA count is at 7 now.

 

I think the "Bears have worst supporting cast" media guys are pretty validated when a team is set to roll out 7 new UDFAs week one.

[raw]

Final corresponding moves:

Joe Thomas and Caleb Johnson cut/waived. Tajae Sharpe to IR.

 

https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-claim-six-players-off-waivers-alex-leatherwood-alabama

 

Wonder if Harry is still destined for IR. Would mean another move and basically has to be for a WR with the current health/depth.

 

Trade in works? Vet FA non-waiver target?

 

Also I think the 2022 UDFA count is at 7 now.

 

I think the "Bears have worst supporting cast" media guys are pretty validated when a team is set to roll out 7 new UDFAs week one.

 

I mean, the media has always been validated in their opinion. I've been telling Bears fans all offseason. I don't think they will be the worst team in the league. Last time they were the worst team in the league, they only tied for it with the Steelers and lost the coin flip for the #1 pick which was Terry Bradshaw. But on paper, the Bears don't have big money, proven free agents. They didn't have a 1st round pick. Hell, the only 1st round picks on the entire roster are Fields, Quinn (who was drafted 11 years ago), Roquan, Harry and Leatherwood (both 1st round busts).

 

This just isn't a talented team. I don't think they were all that talented last year (based on who actually played the majority of the snaps) and they are better coached and have an easier schedule than they did in 2021. And honestly, the Bears have been on the bottom half of talent in the league for most of our lives, but this time they have talent at the most important position in sports.

[BigbadB]

Interesting that Tavon Young and Tajae Sharpe both got put on IR where they are lost for the entire season. But, probably not that big a deal considering neither were likely part of the future in any way. I really like the Leatherwood pickup. A season working behind Whitehair and they might just have a long term solution at both G positions.

 

I always predict the Bears will do better than the predictions, but not going to do it this year. I'm just going to temper the expectations and hope to see a good enough improvement that they can build from going into next season. I am expecting playoffs next year, however.

[David]

[raw]

Interesting that Tavon Young and Tajae Sharpe both got put on IR where they are lost for the entire season. But, probably not that big a deal considering neither were likely part of the future in any way. I really like the Leatherwood pickup. A season working behind Whitehair and they might just have a long term solution at both G positions.

 

I always predict the Bears will do better than the predictions, but not going to do it this year. I'm just going to temper the expectations and hope to see a good enough improvement that they can build from going into next season. I am expecting playoffs next year, however.

 

Yeah, not sure why they just weren't cut.

 

I honestly don't like Leatherwood's fit in this offense. He's a big powerful mauling dude in the run game, granted so is Jenkins. But I'm good with taking a shot on any former top 75 pick still on his rookie deal. A team thought he was a 1st round talent just 18 months ago (I thought he was closer to mid 3rd round). Change of scenery, motivation by a new staff and dire situation to save a career may or may not be a real thing, but it's worth a shot on the talent as long as you don't overpay.

[jersey cubs fan]

These videos are entirely too long.

 

Also funny to see them choosing to feature Mario Edwards complaining about his leg after he got cut.

[David]

These videos are entirely too long.

 

Also funny to see them choosing to feature Mario Edwards complaining about his leg after he got cut.

 

It's supposed to be like their own in house version of Hard Knocks (except even more propaganda-ey)

[jersey cubs fan]

[jersey cubs fan]

These videos are entirely too long.

 

Also funny to see them choosing to feature Mario Edwards complaining about his leg after he got cut.

 

It's supposed to be like their own in house version of Hard Knocks (except even more propaganda-ey)

 

I get that, which is largely why they kind of suck. By minute 8 I want a nap. I could see a 5 minute version being fine. Velus Jones’s toothbrush had a featured role in this thing.

[raw]

 

Interesting that they cut Zachary Thomas yesterday, who was a Poles draft pick this year. He can be added to the PS after 4pm, if he clears waivers. But these signings (mainly Thomas, because Diesch was already reported) puts the Bears at a full 16 on the practice squad. I'm going to assume he'll keep Thomas and cut maybe Eiselen? But Eiselen is the only other C on the roster if Patrick has to miss a couple weeks and Mustipher goes down. IDK that Whitehair is an option to move back there.

 

Also guys like Snowden, Tonga, Shelley, and Caleb Johnson look like the odd men out.

[David]

These videos are entirely too long.

 

Also funny to see them choosing to feature Mario Edwards complaining about his leg after he got cut.

 

It's supposed to be like their own in house version of Hard Knocks (except even more propaganda-ey)

 

I get that, which is largely why they kind of suck. By minute 8 I want a nap. I could see a 5 minute version being fine. Velus Jones’s toothbrush had a featured role in this thing.

 

yeah, i get it. i eat up behind the scenes stuff like that but there is definitely a good amount of fluff in there. some of that stuff could stand to be in a supplementary video or something for the people who want it, and have the main episode be a more meat and potatoes-ey like 10ish minutes.

[JeffH]

Maybe Coulter (or Webster) gets moved to the 53. That would make room for ZThomas on the PS.

[Sammy Sofa]

yeah, i get it. i eat up behind the scenes stuff like that

 

Well, sure, but that's because you're the editing bay.

[raw]

These videos are entirely too long.

 

Also funny to see them choosing to feature Mario Edwards complaining about his leg after he got cut.

 

It's supposed to be like their own in house version of Hard Knocks (except even more propaganda-ey)

 

I get that, which is largely why they kind of suck. By minute 8 I want a nap. I could see a 5 minute version being fine. Velus Jones’s toothbrush had a featured role in this thing.

 

LOL. My big takeaway is Eberflus is everywhere. He's watching DBs, then DL, then WRs, then QBs. I don't imagine Nagy did too much with the defensive guys in practice, which is fine if he was good at offense. But I think I like the CEO style HC with coordinators coordinating.

[raw]

Maybe Coulter (or Webster) gets moved to the 53. That would make room for ZThomas on the PS.

 

Ah yeah, good point.

[bukie]

SI predicts the outcome of very game for the 2022 NFL season, presumably while huffing glue:

 

https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/09/01/nfl-preview-predicting-every-game-daily-cover

[Old Style]

3-14? LOL.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

SI predicts the outcome of very game for the 2022 NFL season, presumably while huffing glue:

 

https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/09/01/nfl-preview-predicting-every-game-daily-cover

I refuse to believe there is an NFL team who will lose more games than the Falcons.

[Cubswin11]

I think the Bears are going to be bad but yeah, idk if they’re gonna be that bad.

[UMFan83]

I think the Bears are going to be bad but yeah, idk if they’re gonna be that bad.

 

There is a certain segment of the Bears fanbase on twitter that is convinced we are actually going to be pretty decent and they flood any tweets that are down on the Bears with replies talking them up. I can see a scenario where a bunch of things go right for them (Fields is so good he's able to make teammates better, Poles is an offensive line savant and the line is actually decent, Eberflus has a Lovie style impact on the team, good injury luck, easier schedule), but I still see them as a 5-6 win team, with the ability to win as few as 3 or as many as 9 games in the most extreme outcomes.

 

And that's fine for this year I guess. I want the team to be good and be good quickly but it was never constructed that way IMO and even if they are bad there are things I can definitely look forward to watching. Very similar to the Cubs this year as we knew they were probably not good, though there was a narrow pathway where they could have been decent, but regardless there are things worth watching even though they are bad.

[Outshined_One]

I think the Bears are going to be bad but yeah, idk if they’re gonna be that bad.

 

They weirdly fit the mold of a team that could outperform expectations. New HC, a new offensive system that shows promise, a second year QB who's shown flashes of talent, a coaching staff with some promise, and a handful of offseason moves that could help move the needle. It's oddly reminiscent of Nagy's first year, for better or worse.

 

I don't think the talent is there for more than 9 wins (barring a miracle), but the NFL is strange.

[Cubswin11]

I think the Bears are going to be bad but yeah, idk if they’re gonna be that bad.

 

There is a certain segment of the Bears fanbase on twitter that is convinced we are actually going to be pretty decent and they flood any tweets that are down on the Bears with replies talking them up. I can see a scenario where a bunch of things go right for them (Fields is so good he's able to make teammates better, Poles is an offensive line savant and the line is actually decent, Eberflus has a Lovie style impact on the team, good injury luck, easier schedule), but I still see them as a 5-6 win team, with the ability to win as few as 3 or as many as 9 games in the most extreme outcomes.

 

And that's fine for this year I guess. I want the team to be good and be good quickly but it was never constructed that way IMO and even if they are bad there are things I can definitely look forward to watching. Very similar to the Cubs this year as we knew they were probably not good, though there was a narrow pathway where they could have been decent, but regardless there are things worth watching even though they are bad.

Yeah I get being excited, especially with maybe a young franchise QB, but I just see to much downside/lack of talent for them not to be a bottom ~8 team or so. But don’t think they’ll be the worst. Texans, Seahawks, Falcons, either of the NY teams, Jags, Lions, Panthers I think are the clear bottom 8 teams in some order on paper then throw in a team or two that has bad injury luck or like Miami having Tua suck (I think he does), Browns sucking without a QB, etc.

[raw]

I think the Bears are going to be bad but yeah, idk if they’re gonna be that bad.

 

They weirdly fit the mold of a team that could outperform expectations. New HC, a new offensive system that shows promise, a second year QB who's shown flashes of talent, a coaching staff with some promise, and a handful of offseason moves that could help move the needle. It's oddly reminiscent of Nagy's first year, for better or worse.

 

I don't think the talent is there for more than 9 wins (barring a miracle), but the NFL is strange.

 

Yeah, that's kinda where I am. If Fields stays healthy and is actually going to pan out as a franchise QB, the Bears are likely to outperform expectations. I have pointed out way back when in this thread that there have been a few occasions in the last 5 years where a team with similar talent deficiencies have been pretty good unexpectedly. 2019 Ravens and Bills, 2016 Titans. All with 2nd year QBs, a couple with new(er) defensive coaches. Granted Mariota still somehow didn't pan out and Jackson had a historic season on the ground and with passing efficiency, but those teams all won at least 9 games with ugly offensive personnel on paper. I hold out hope for the 2022 Bears to be similar, but I'm certainly not counting on it.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I think the Bears are going to be bad but yeah, idk if they’re gonna be that bad.

 

They weirdly fit the mold of a team that could outperform expectations. New HC, a new offensive system that shows promise, a second year QB who's shown flashes of talent, a coaching staff with some promise, and a handful of offseason moves that could help move the needle. It's oddly reminiscent of Nagy's first year, for better or worse.

 

I don't think the talent is there for more than 9 wins (barring a miracle), but the NFL is strange.

 

Yeah, that's kinda where I am. If Fields stays healthy and is actually going to pan out as a franchise QB, the Bears are likely to outperform expectations. I have pointed out way back when in this thread that there have been a few occasions in the last 5 years where a team with similar talent deficiencies have been pretty good unexpectedly. 2019 Ravens and Bills, 2016 Titans. All with 2nd year QBs, a couple with new(er) defensive coaches. Granted Mariota still somehow didn't pan out and Jackson had a historic season on the ground and with passing efficiency, but those teams all won at least 9 games with ugly offensive personnel on paper. I hold out hope for the 2022 Bears to be similar, but I'm certainly not counting on it.

 

You could add Cincinnati 2021 to that list as well. A bit more quality at the skill players, but an terrible Oline and D

[UMFan83]

 

They weirdly fit the mold of a team that could outperform expectations. New HC, a new offensive system that shows promise, a second year QB who's shown flashes of talent, a coaching staff with some promise, and a handful of offseason moves that could help move the needle. It's oddly reminiscent of Nagy's first year, for better or worse.

 

I don't think the talent is there for more than 9 wins (barring a miracle), but the NFL is strange.

 

Yeah, that's kinda where I am. If Fields stays healthy and is actually going to pan out as a franchise QB, the Bears are likely to outperform expectations. I have pointed out way back when in this thread that there have been a few occasions in the last 5 years where a team with similar talent deficiencies have been pretty good unexpectedly. 2019 Ravens and Bills, 2016 Titans. All with 2nd year QBs, a couple with new(er) defensive coaches. Granted Mariota still somehow didn't pan out and Jackson had a historic season on the ground and with passing efficiency, but those teams all won at least 9 games with ugly offensive personnel on paper. I hold out hope for the 2022 Bears to be similar, but I'm certainly not counting on it.

 

You could add Cincinnati 2021 to that list as well. A bit more quality at the skill players, but an terrible Oline and D

 

A bit more quality at the skill positions is understating it considerably