2025 Bears Offseason Thread

[UMFan83]

35 minutes ago, gflore34 said:

And he's not above cheating, is there any doubt?

"Hey Ben, the footballs might feel a little light for your players today, just go with it *winks*"

[BigSlick]

If I'm Ben Johnson i probably want to go to the Bears over the Raiders, factoring in everything. But i dunno what that dude prioritizes or wants, so its impossible to say. 

Also its completely insane we let a guy who's an owner of an NFL franchise call games. C'mon now, have some semblance of propriety here. 

Edited January 13, 2025 by BigSlick

[Irrelevant Dude]

1 minute ago, BigSlick said:

Also its completely insane we let a guy who's an owner of an NFL franchise call games.

Especially when he isn't particularly good at it.

[UMFan83]

28 minutes ago, mul21 said:

I'm not sure he has any access to do that based on the restrictions he's under.

https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2024-10-16/tom-brady-fox-broadcast-restrictions-raiders-owner#:~:text=Brady can't criticize other,he can't watch practices.

 

Numerous photos and videos of Brady socializing with players, coaches and front office types before games.  I'm almost certain he will have some sort of contact with Ben Johnson, as its pretty much a job requirement to add insight to the broadcast based on conversations he has with people affiliated with the teams.

Honestly, I don't think it's a huge deal, maybe I'm naive.  It's more annoying and a clear conflict of interest that is so easy to fix by not assigning him to that game. 

Edited January 13, 2025 by UMFan83

[BigSlick]

Yeah I honestly don't think it gives Brady and the Raiders any real competitive advantage, but it still shouldn't happen

[gflore34]

25 minutes ago, BigSlick said:

If I'm Ben Johnson i probably want to go to the Bears over the Raiders, factoring in everything. But i dunno what that dude prioritizes or wants, so its impossible to say. 

Also its completely insane we let a guy who's an owner of an NFL franchise call games. C'mon now, have some semblance of propriety here. 

It's the QB, I would think he'd prefer the Bears.  Despite it being the Bears, they still offer a better chance to hit the ground running than the Raiders.  Even if, somehow, the Raiders manage to trade up into the top 2 of draft to get a shot at Sanders or Ward.  The Bears are still the better option.

[Wilson A2000]

1 hour ago, Brian707 said:

Tom Brady will be broadcasting the Lions-Commanders game.  

Wonder if he is going to woo Ben Johnson to come to Vegas? I know its against the rules but he is the NFL golden boy.

Lots of speculation that Brady will walk away from Fox after the Super Bowl, but Fox is paying him a ridiculous amount of money

[Rex Buckingham]

13 minutes ago, gflore34 said:

It's the QB, I would think he'd prefer the Bears.  Despite it being the Bears, they still offer a better chance to hit the ground running than the Raiders.  Even if, somehow, the Raiders manage to trade up into the top 2 of draft to get a shot at Sanders or Ward.  The Bears are still the better option.

I don't think Ward will be all that good as a pro... and I have no idea about Sanders - but wouldn't put him in the same category as Caleb, Daniels, Maye or Stroud

[Old Style]

 

[Brian707]

18 minutes ago, gflore34 said:

It's the QB, I would think he'd prefer the Bears.  Despite it being the Bears, they still offer a better chance to hit the ground running than the Raiders.  Even if, somehow, the Raiders manage to trade up into the top 2 of draft to get a shot at Sanders or Ward.  The Bears are still the better option.

The Raiders fired their GM, Johnson if that really is a big deal to him, might have his pick of GM. 

 

[BigSlick]

Concerning news coming out of Dallas:

 

 

All of us should be really worried. 

[Rex Buckingham]

Zack Rosenblatt (Jets writer at The Athletic) predicted the Bears to end up with Carroll

[BigSlick]

I wouldn't be overly upset if we ended up with Carroll (he's an extremely accomplished coach) but I would absolutely be disappointed. Carroll can only, at best, be a stopgap guy. He's a Floor Guy. And he doesn't solve the most crucial problem facing the Bears; Developing Caleb Williams and installing a professional offense. 

I mean, it's almost a little maddening to think about who was our OC to start 2024 and who Pete Carroll's last OC was. 

Edited January 13, 2025 by BigSlick

[Brian707]

1 minute ago, BigSlick said:

 He's a Floor Guy.

Yeah that would tell me Poles is most concerned about saving his own job.  Hiring Caroll maximizes the chances the Bears don't suck, low risk hire.

[Wilson A2000]

1 minute ago, Brian707 said:

Yeah that would tell me Poles is most concerned about saving his own job.  Hiring Caroll maximizes the chances the Bears don't suck, low risk hire.

Which is why Poles had to be fired

[Outshined_One]

I get that McCarthy has a ring and a really good winning percentage, but he just feels like such a milquetoast hire if the Bears go that route.  His stint in Dallas was unremarkable and he had the benefit of HOF caliber QBs in Green Bay.

[PackLandVA]

7 minutes ago, Outshined_One said:

I get that McCarthy has a ring and a really good winning percentage, but he just feels like such a milquetoast hire if the Bears go that route.  His stint in Dallas was unremarkable and he had the benefit of HOF caliber QBs in Green Bay.

My take as a Packers fan, having watched many McCarthy-coached seasons, is that he would absolutely be good for Caleb Williams. He was a "QB whisperer" early in his coaching career. He helped Favre at the end of his career, coached up Rodgers (look at his early mechanics), and has done well with Dak. 

I know Bears fans don't want an older coach and/or retread, but he would bring stability, experience, and winning to the Bears. And I think he'd be a great fit for Williams.  

[BigSlick]

My problem with McCarthy: he looks like a big dumb idiot

[WrigleyField 22]

1 minute ago, BigSlick said:

My problem with McCarthy: he looks like a big dumb idiot

Low key I think this is the issue for many.  Put him on ozempic and his favorability rating skyrockets.

 

Hes probably 3rd for me after Johnson and Monken at this point. I think I'd have slated Vrabel ahead when he was available.

 

Johnson

Monken

McCarthy

 

Tier 2 (spin young hot OC wheel no specific order)

Coen, Brady

 

Tier 3 (would probably talk myself into)

Carroll, Shaw, Flores

 

Rest not worth ranking either because my opinion is low or uninformed.

[mul21]

6 minutes ago, BigSlick said:

My problem with McCarthy: he looks like a big dumb idiot

This is the kind of rational takes I keep coming back here for. 🤣 And yes, I know you're totally kidding.

[PackLandVA]

18 minutes ago, BigSlick said:

My problem with McCarthy: he looks like a big dumb idiot

[NorthsideAvenger]

McCarthy would the offensive version of the John Fox hire. No effin thank you.

[SpongeWorthy]

feels inevitable at this point tbh

[BigSlick]

6 minutes ago, PackLandVA said:

He really just had a big dumb face. I'd feel bad for him but he's a multi-millionaire so he's doing fine. 

[gflore34]

42 minutes ago, PackLandVA said:

My take as a Packers fan, having watched many McCarthy-coached seasons, is that he would absolutely be good for Caleb Williams. He was a "QB whisperer" early in his coaching career. He helped Favre at the end of his career, coached up Rodgers (look at his early mechanics), and has done well with Dak. 

I know Bears fans don't want an older coach and/or retread, but he would bring stability, experience, and winning to the Bears. And I think he'd be a great fit for Williams.  

Well, if this isn't the kiss of death, just kidding.

The Bears could actually do far worse, unfortunately this is where are raising the floor.