Chicago Bears Offseason Thread (the tank must payoff)

[UK]

If Carolina offers 9,39, and the 24' 1st would you take it?

 

I would based on the belief that Q. Johnson would be on the board.

[WrigleyField 22]

If Carolina offers 9,39, and the 24' 1st would you take it?

 

I would based on the belief that Q. Johnson would be on the board.

I mean at 9 it's hard to count on any one guy being there.

 

It's light on the Jimmy Johnson chart. And trades to 1/2 for a QB usually blow that value chart up.

 

They'd honestly need to throw in the '25 first or multiple Rd 2/3 picks to close the value. They should be able to do better, or just use the pick.

[raw]

If Carolina offers 9,39, and the 24' 1st would you take it?

 

I would based on the belief that Q. Johnson would be on the board.

I mean at 9 it's hard to count on any one guy being there.

 

It's light on the Jimmy Johnson chart. And trades to 1/2 for a QB usually blow that value chart up.

 

They'd honestly need to throw in the '25 first or multiple Rd 2/3 picks to close the value. They should be able to do better, or just use the pick.

 

Yeah, it absolutely takes more than that. Maybe a 3rd 1st round pick. Maybe a 2nd in 24 as well. Maybe DJ Moore. But it definitely takes more.

[WrigleyField 22]

Well Saints just restructured Michael Thomas's contract in a sure sign that they're prepping to release him. I don't know what his market is gonna look like because of health. But he's probably worth kicking the tires on at least, which would give Fields a great safety net target, if healthy.

[UK]

You're probably right on that one. I don't think Stroud or Young have the same trade value as other years.

[WrigleyField 22]

You're probably right on that one. I don't think Stroud or Young have the same trade value as other years.

Even if you don't get a *haul* you gotta at least match the JJ chart.

 

9+39 = 1850

 

#1 = 3000

#2 = 2600

 

So depending how you value the future first (different conventions used) and depending on if the Bears are 1st or 2nd, you're somewhere between a low third round or high second rounder away still.

[gflore34]

Justin Fields showed drastic improvement as a passer this season, done with arguably the worst supporting cast in football. People who are writing him off as just a running QB are overlooking this point. Did he light up the scoreboard with 350+ yards passing and multiple TD's? No. I wonder if that could be possible with this supporting cast? Sure, he's missed some reads but, when you've got a turn style at center and WR's with hands of stone (Brown, Pettis, Jones Jr.) what can reasonably be expected? I'm willing to give him another season provided, of course, Poles assembles an NFL caliber roster around him. This talk of drafting Young or Stroud maybe even Levis doesn't make sense.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Justin Fields showed drastic improvement as a passer this season, done with arguably the worst supporting cast in football. People who are writing him off as just a running QB are overlooking this point. Did he light up the scoreboard with 350+ yards passing and multiple TD's? No. I wonder if that could be possible with this supporting cast? Sure, he's missed some reads but, when you've got a turn style at center and WR's with hands of stone (Brown, Pettis, Jones Jr.) what can reasonably be expected? I'm willing to give him another season provided, of course, Poles assembles an NFL caliber roster around him. This talk of drafting Young or Stroud maybe even Levis doesn't make sense.

 

He had exactly two games where he exceeded 200 yards passing. He had some times where he looked good, but he had plenty of times where he looked slow to process and seems to have the yips on short passes.

 

Nobody's seriously going to consider ditching him, but I think some doubt is reasonable

[gflore34]

Justin Fields showed drastic improvement as a passer this season, done with arguably the worst supporting cast in football. People who are writing him off as just a running QB are overlooking this point. Did he light up the scoreboard with 350+ yards passing and multiple TD's? No. I wonder if that could be possible with this supporting cast? Sure, he's missed some reads but, when you've got a turn style at center and WR's with hands of stone (Brown, Pettis, Jones Jr.) what can reasonably be expected? I'm willing to give him another season provided, of course, Poles assembles an NFL caliber roster around him. This talk of drafting Young or Stroud maybe even Levis doesn't make sense.

 

He had exactly two games where he exceeded 200 yards passing. He had some times where he looked good, but he had plenty of times where he looked slow to process and seems to have the yips on short passes.

 

Nobody's seriously going to consider ditching him, but I think some doubt is reasonable

 

Some doubt is reasonable, I agree, I've more doubt in Poles. Putting together a better roster for next season shouldn't be that difficult, Poles should be able to accomplish that, I'm not certain he's capable.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I have more doubt in Poles and Eberflus.

 

The response to Justin should be "what do you need to work on these things:

 

X

Y

Z

 

That's where we need to see improvement, but we will do everything we can to support you"

 

But who knows with poles

[WrigleyField 22]

Main thing I think Justin needs to work on is the short throw accuracy. Don't know if it's mechanical or the yips, but it's gotta get better.

 

The progression/reads stuff. Yea he needs growth, but it just comes with experience and I think the scheme needs to grow a lot. At most it's 50/50, but I think it may be more scheme than Justin. Supporting cast enhancements will of course help too. So maybe it's like 20/20/60 Justin/teammates/scheme

 

The volume passing is basically no concern because it's at the very bottom of the totem pole as a result of literally everything else.

[WrigleyField 22]

If Bears don't win at least 8 next year, fire Poles

 

[raw]

Main thing I think Justin needs to work on is the short throw accuracy. Don't know if it's mechanical or the yips, but it's gotta get better.

 

The progression/reads stuff. Yea he needs growth, but it just comes with experience and I think the scheme needs to grow a lot. At most it's 50/50, but I think it may be more scheme than Justin. Supporting cast enhancements will of course help too. So maybe it's like 20/20/60 Justin/teammates/scheme

 

The volume passing is basically no concern because it's at the very bottom of the totem pole as a result of literally everything else.

 

It's mechanical, based on my non-expert opinion. I think the couple of QB experts that do watch Fields' film (Dilfer, O'Sullivan, Tim Jenkins) have also agreed that he does have mechanical issues on the short throws. I think I have stated this before, but my non-expert opinion is that he is worried about overthrowing them. If you go outside and throw a football and you just casually throw a ball a short distance with your feet stagnant, you can obviously make the throw and get it where you want it. But if you really focus on your feet and throw stepping into it, you can really throw it harder and further. I think Fields is cognizant of not throwing it too hard or too far so he tries to "ease" it in on short throws. But he simply has to throw it like normal. It's a terrible habit to get into, because how do you determine what's a "short" or "easy" throw? 5 yards, 10 yards? Just throw it the same way every time. Aiming never works.

[bukie]

Just as a baseline, here are the Bears current draft picks:

 

Round 1 (1)

Round 2 (56) - from Ravens for Roquan Smith

Round 3 (65)

Round 4 (103)

Round 4 (134) - from Eagles for Robert Quinn

Round 5 (136)

Round 5 (149) - from Ravens for Roquan Smith

Round 7 (220)

 

The Bears did trade their own 2nd round pick for Chase Claypool, and they traded their own 6th round pick a year ago to acquire Hakeem Grant from the Dolphins.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think Lovie would be a good hire as an asst head coach and defensive consultant. He’s been around forever. They are basically trying to emulate his defense. He’s legit the best coach this organization has had in my lifetime. His greatest ability was getting the most out of his guys. There are going to be a ton of new highly paid faces on this team and Eberflus’s staff has a credibility weakness. He’s not really a threat to take over Eberflus’s job, but it would address the fact that this coaching staff did not do a good job this year, without a bunch of heads rolling.

[WrigleyField 22]

I think Lovie would be a good hire as an asst head coach and defensive consultant. He’s been around forever. They are basically trying to emulate his defense. He’s legit the best coach this organization has had in my lifetime. His greatest ability was getting the most out of his guys. There are going to be a ton of new highly paid faces on this team and Eberflus’s staff has a credibility weakness. He’s not really a threat to take over Eberflus’s job, but it would address the fact that this coaching staff did not do a good job this year, without a bunch of heads rolling.

Obviously it's been 10 years, but I'm trying to remember a case of a former HC coming back into that org in an assistant role.

 

Wade Phillips in DEN; that was nearly 20 years after. Any others?

[CubinNY]

In many respects, this offseason will be a final exam for Poles and his team of assistants and coaches. An opportunity like this does not happen very often. They have to bullseye every target and every decision. The first of which is deciding if Justin Fields is their QB. They've hedged to this point.

[WrigleyField 22]

In many respects, this offseason will be a final exam for Poles and his team of assistants and coaches. An opportunity like this does not happen very often. They have to bullseye every target and every decision. The first of which is deciding if Justin Fields is their QB. They've hedged to this point.

I would say it's not the final exam, but it is a must pass midterm.

 

Tanking was easy. At this point other than the Brisker pick he really hasn't added anyone that looks like a sure thing above average long term contributor. All his budget FA were flops. Gordon and Braxton Jones might be long term starters, but certainly questions remain.

 

He's got $150M in cash and the top pick. Again, anything less than a 8 win season will be a failure in my book.

[Soul]

In many respects, this offseason will be a final exam for Poles and his team of assistants and coaches. An opportunity like this does not happen very often. They have to bullseye every target and every decision. The first of which is deciding if Justin Fields is their QB. They've hedged to this point.

It’s just hard for me to believe they “punt” on a talent like Fields without even seeing what he could do combing his running with a legit pass protecting line.

 

But I guess you can’t refuse to even listen to offers when the team was the worst in the league and has a talent deficit up & down the roster. I’d be disappointed In that moment for sure though.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think Lovie would be a good hire as an asst head coach and defensive consultant. He’s been around forever. They are basically trying to emulate his defense. He’s legit the best coach this organization has had in my lifetime. His greatest ability was getting the most out of his guys. There are going to be a ton of new highly paid faces on this team and Eberflus’s staff has a credibility weakness. He’s not really a threat to take over Eberflus’s job, but it would address the fact that this coaching staff did not do a good job this year, without a bunch of heads rolling.

Obviously it's been 10 years, but I'm trying to remember a case of a former HC coming back into that org in an assistant role.

 

Wade Phillips in DEN; that was nearly 20 years after. Any others?

It would be unique, but Lovie is a unique guy. Two names that came up when thinking about long term coaches that left an organization were Shanahan and Holmgren, both of whom moved on to establish themselves as major figures in their next stop. Lovie coached two years at Tampa then came back home* to coach in college, which not a lot of established NFL coaches have done.

 

He’s in his mid 60s and his head coaching opportunities are probably behind him. Does he want to be a full blown defensive coordinator again? John Fox has become a defensive assistant in his late 60s, albeit not to an organization he had previous ties to, but that particular wrinkle doesn’t strike me as an obstacle.

 

2000s era bears coaches wouldn’t have wanted Ditka coming back as a voice in the room, but Lovie isn’t that type of coach.

[minnesotacubsfan]

In many respects, this offseason will be a final exam for Poles and his team of assistants and coaches. An opportunity like this does not happen very often. They have to bullseye every target and every decision. The first of which is deciding if Justin Fields is their QB. They've hedged to this point.

I would say it's not the final exam, but it is a must pass midterm.

 

Tanking was easy. At this point other than the Brisker pick he really hasn't added anyone that looks like a sure thing above average long term contributor. All his budget FA were flops. Gordon and Braxton Jones might be long term starters, but certainly questions remain.

 

He's got $150M in cash and the top pick. Again, anything less than a 8 win season will be a failure in my book.

I'm concerned he has so much money to spend that the talent to get won't be there. The result, Poles will overspend on mediocre talent. Net gain: a 5-12 record. They really could have spiraled themselves into a Browns/Lions scenario of multiple losing seasons and top picks

[Old Style]

Trading Fields and/or drafting a QB would make my head explode.

[WrigleyField 22]

In many respects, this offseason will be a final exam for Poles and his team of assistants and coaches. An opportunity like this does not happen very often. They have to bullseye every target and every decision. The first of which is deciding if Justin Fields is their QB. They've hedged to this point.

I would say it's not the final exam, but it is a must pass midterm.

 

Tanking was easy. At this point other than the Brisker pick he really hasn't added anyone that looks like a sure thing above average long term contributor. All his budget FA were flops. Gordon and Braxton Jones might be long term starters, but certainly questions remain.

 

He's got $150M in cash and the top pick. Again, anything less than a 8 win season will be a failure in my book.

I'm concerned he has so much money to spend that the talent to get won't be there. The result, Poles will overspend on mediocre talent. Net gain: a 5-12 record. They really could have spiraled themselves into a Browns/Lions scenario of multiple losing seasons and top picks

I mean, NFL fans go through this every year. Literally just saw it again with Jags. Everyone said they overpaid on mediocre talent. And that's kind of true. They still. Improved 6 games.

 

Calling on them to be a 8 win team is not a high bar. Go look at all the 7-9 win teams. There's still a lot of trash and roster holes on those types of teams. We're not talking about closing every roster hole or finding multiple All Pros to get there.

[WrigleyField 22]

Just gonna keep posting all reasonable #1 trade offers from other team's fans.

 

[Bertz]

I would say it's not the final exam, but it is a must pass midterm.

 

Tanking was easy. At this point other than the Brisker pick he really hasn't added anyone that looks like a sure thing above average long term contributor. All his budget FA were flops. Gordon and Braxton Jones might be long term starters, but certainly questions remain.

 

He's got $150M in cash and the top pick. Again, anything less than a 8 win season will be a failure in my book.

I'm concerned he has so much money to spend that the talent to get won't be there. The result, Poles will overspend on mediocre talent. Net gain: a 5-12 record. They really could have spiraled themselves into a Browns/Lions scenario of multiple losing seasons and top picks

I mean, NFL fans go through this every year. Literally just saw it again with Jags. Everyone said they overpaid on mediocre talent. And that's kind of true. They still. Improved 6 games.

 

Calling on them to be a 8 win team is not a high bar. Go look at all the 7-9 win teams. There's still a lot of trash and roster holes on those types of teams. We're not talking about closing every roster hole or finding multiple All Pros to get there.

 

Also they would have won 6ish already this year with normal luck in one score games, there's not as much ground to make up as there looks like from simple W/L record.

 

I mentioned like a month back and I still think it's true, the team has so many resources available that some rando who's into Madden's franchise mode should be able to get this team to 8+. The test of whether Poles is a dude is if he can get this team all the way into competing for a bye territory.

 

To me the biggest worry is Fields regressing. We've seen recently with Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield that guys can still suddenly go "Oops I'm bad now lol" even after 3 years in the league. That is terrifying given that any hopes of major improvements bank on Fields being at minimum the guy he was for the last 10 games or so this season.