2025 Bears Offseason Thread

[WrigleyField 22]

1 minute ago, Soul said:

His choices though right?  He’s led the team to success they’ve not had in the SB era.  Whether he’s hands on or not doesn’t strike me as critical in assessing him.

I tend to agree. Also it's not like Glenn and Johnson was him going out and attracting known coordinators to prop him up. Is it possible that he struck lightening twice and got blindly lucky?  Yea I guess it is, but it's entirely possible he's a meathead who's still intellectually curious enough to surround himself with smart people.  

[gflore34]

7 minutes ago, Soul said:

His choices though right?  He’s led the team to success they’ve not had in the SB era.  Whether he’s hands on or not doesn’t strike me as critical in assessing him.

Definitely, and great choices at that, we'll see how fares when he loses one or both of them.

[jersey cubs fan]

The bears are in the position they are in today entirely because of decisions made by Ryan Poles. This team was not predestined to be this bad because of moves made by the previous regime. This team was fixable and Poles failed to fix it. He purposely made it worst and has failed miserably trying to improve it. 

[gflore34]

1 minute ago, jersey cubs fan said:

The bears are in the position they are in today entirely because of decisions made by Ryan Poles. This team was not predestined to be this bad because of moves made by the previous regime. This team was fixable and Poles failed to fix it. He purposely made it worst and has failed miserably trying to improve it. 

Most anybody can see that, how come someone like McCaskey and, I guess, Warren cannot?  There's absolutely no empirical evidence for keeping Poles, none.

[WrigleyField 22]

A few articles about Dan Campbells in game decision making and analytics:

https://themich.org/2024/04/16/data-driven-determination-the-science-behind-the-detroit-lionss-strategy/

https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/9/20/23882058/analytics-say-lions-coach-dan-campbells-game-decisions-best-nfl-win-probability-4th-down

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2024/01/29/dan-campbell-4th-down-detroit-lions-nfc-championship-game-49ers/72394554007/

I made a joke once that LA hiring a nerd (Staley) was the wrong move.  The right move is to hire a jock (Campbell) who is willing to steal the nerds homework. Still the jock has to be able to understand the homework he's stealing in this case.  I know he game the meatballiest opening press conference of all time 4 years ago, but I think there's a decent chance he combines leadership and smarts really well. Not to say Detroit doesn't owe a ton of success to Johnson and Glenn and they wouldn't be hard to replace, but I wouldn't just assume Campbell can't either.  

[WrigleyField 22]

Poles' obligatory hometown kid because he has a weird hard on for it

 

 

[Irrelevant Dude]

23 minutes ago, Hairyducked Idiot said:

 My off-season wish list:

An offensive head coach who will want to significantly overhaul the roster and dilute Poles' influence 

Two veteran offensive linemen to stop the bleeding, two more highly drafted ones to set up long term.

A fast WR to play outside and stretch out defenses 

Release Everett and sign a 1b TE to push Kmet for playing time 

Draft an RB to take over 1a from Swift 

 

You forgot the obvious, re-sign Marcedes Lewis.

[jersey cubs fan]

8 minutes ago, WrigleyField 22 said:

Poles' obligatory hometown kid because he has a weird hard on for it

 

 

My guess is this is more about speaking to a guy that might be hired in a lesser role after the HC position is filled. They tend to do that, interview for bigger job but offer smaller one. 
 

There’s no way this guy is a real HC candidate 

[mul21]

26 minutes ago, WrigleyField 22 said:

A few articles about Dan Campbells in game decision making and analytics:

https://themich.org/2024/04/16/data-driven-determination-the-science-behind-the-detroit-lionss-strategy/

https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/9/20/23882058/analytics-say-lions-coach-dan-campbells-game-decisions-best-nfl-win-probability-4th-down

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2024/01/29/dan-campbell-4th-down-detroit-lions-nfc-championship-game-49ers/72394554007/

I made a joke once that LA hiring a nerd (Staley) was the wrong move.  The right move is to hire a jock (Campbell) who is willing to steal the nerds homework. Still the jock has to be able to understand the homework he's stealing in this case.  I know he gave the meatballiest opening press conference of all time 4 years ago, but I think there's a decent chance he combines leadership and smarts really well. Not to say Detroit doesn't owe a ton of success to Johnson and Glenn and they wouldn't be hard to replace, but I wouldn't just assume Campbell can't either.  

I had a very similarly low opinion of the guy after that press conference, but you don't have success to the level they have the last 2 seasons without there being some substance to it underneath the meatball facade.  He clearly has the respect and belief from the players and even if he isn't the tactician behind either side of the ball, he's obviously a good CEO.  He's a more meatbally version of John Harbaugh, who was a special teams coach before becoming a head coach.  There's a level of skill to picking the right people to work for you and Campbell has to get credit for that.

[UK]

Bears should have already been interviewing candidates (Vrabel, Carroll, etc.) despite me not wanting any of them.

Poles owns this ****** roster, he's had more than enough time to build/improve it.

Sign Smith from KC.

Draft 

OT

DE

G/C

S

1 tech DT

Coaches:

A. Glenn HC

Tanner Engstrand OC

Whoever he wants as DC.

 

[minnesotacubsfan]

After Ben, whole lotta meh

 

https://www.bleachernation.com/bears/2025/01/06/vance-joseph-bears-0106/

[WrigleyField 22]

13 minutes ago, mul21 said:

I had a very similarly low opinion of the guy after that press conference, but you don't have success to the level they have the last 2 seasons without there being some substance to it underneath the meatball facade.  He clearly has the respect and belief from the players and even if he isn't the tactician behind either side of the ball, he's obviously a good CEO.  He's a more meatbally version of John Harbaugh, who was a special teams coach before becoming a head coach.  There's a level of skill to picking the right people to work for you and Campbell has to get credit for that.

Yep.  And I can even see the argument that trying for the CEO isn't the route teams should take when they have an opening. But doesn't mean it can't hit.

[Brian707]

1 hour ago, jersey cubs fan said:

The bears are in the position they are in today entirely because of decisions made by Ryan Poles. This team was not predestined to be this bad because of moves made by the previous regime. This team was fixable and Poles failed to fix it. He purposely made it worst and has failed miserably trying to improve it. 

Yes exactly, you should be able to fix a complete dumpster fire within 2 years in the NFL. 

[WrigleyField 22]

1 minute ago, Brian707 said:

Yes exactly, you should be able to fix a complete dumpster fire within 2 years in the NFL. 

Yep even if we conceded that (1) Justin Fields at QB on rookie deal and (2) no FRP necessitated a gut tear down tank (I didn't IMO), it's still 2 whole extra offseasons of getting there.  Fields wasn't holding back building back up.  The 2022 lost first wasn't.  It is just all of Poles cumulative moves and non moves. To reach back further is pointless in a league that frequently sees quick changes (good or bad).

 

Even further - I think there's the claim from original point that it was a direct relationship to their GM being a "lame duck" that led to that decision making tree.  That claim isn't well supported logically nor by even poorly sourced rumor milling I've ever seen.

[Soul]

5 minutes ago, Brian707 said:

Yes exactly, you should be able to fix a complete dumpster fire within 2 years in the NFL. 

Yeah, it’s a dumpster fire with a QB.  We don’t need every piece in place to win with a QB who can create and doesn’t throw INTs very often.  I’m expecting 10 wins next year and definitely playoffs.  I don’t think anyone should accept lower standards.

[Outshined_One]

59 minutes ago, WrigleyField 22 said:

Poles' obligatory hometown kid because he has a weird hard on for it

 

 

Makes sense for an organization known for bureaucratic interference and ambiguity, constant indecision, and a foreboding sense of dread that they'll always find a way to screw things up.

[Brian707]

There is speculation on the Score(yes I am bored) that John Gruden will get an interview.

1. I dont buy it for a minute

2. If the McCaskey's don't like swearing on HBO, there is no way they would hire him with all his baggage be coach.

 

Edited January 6, 2025 by Brian707

[WrigleyField 22]

2 minutes ago, Brian707 said:

There is speculation on the Score(yes I am bored) that John Gruden will get an interview.

1. I dont buy it for a minute

2. If the McCaskey's don't like swearing on HBO, there is no way they would hire him with all his baggage be coach.

 

He might get an interview somewhere, but I don't think with the Bears.

 

At this stage have we even gotten a confirmation of Bears with Vrabrel?  Although I'm usually not super high in the Bears are cheap talk, there's smoke there until we see any experienced / big name get an interview (outside of Johnson I suppose )

[mul21]

15 minutes ago, Soul said:

Yeah, it’s a dumpster fire with a QB.  We don’t need every piece in place to win with a QB who can create and doesn’t throw INTs very often.  I’m expecting 10 wins next year and definitely playoffs.  I don’t think anyone should accept lower standards.

There aren't 10 wins on that schedule unless there are significant personnel changes.  That's a death march.

[WrigleyField 22]

Just now, mul21 said:

There aren't 10 wins on that schedule unless there are significant personnel changes.  That's a death march.

Coaching solves a lot of the personnel issues imo. But a lot is on Poles plate too. He needs to be about as aggressive as he was in 2023 offseason and a lot smarter about it too.  But they certainly can get there.

 

 

[Hairyducked Idiot]

1 hour ago, jersey cubs fan said:

The bears are in the position they are in today entirely because of decisions made by Ryan Poles. This team was not predestined to be this bad because of moves made by the previous regime. This team was fixable and Poles failed to fix it. He purposely made it worst and has failed miserably trying to improve it. 

The drafting of Justin Fields, the hiring of Ryan Poles and the continued employment of Ryan Poles are all part of the same organizational rot.

[gflore34]

5 minutes ago, WrigleyField 22 said:

Coaching solves a lot of the personnel issues imo. But a lot is on Poles plate too. He needs to be about as aggressive as he was in 2023 offseason and a lot smarter about it too.  But they certainly can get there.

 

 

Hell, putting together a decent OL goes a long way towards respectability.  It's doable, for most any GM, well, average GM, which Poles can't even manage.

[Brian707]

12 minutes ago, mul21 said:

There aren't 10 wins on that schedule unless there are significant personnel changes.  That's a death march.

The divisional games yes but other than getting unlucky drawing the 49ers than the Cardinals its not so bad. I think they got lucky drawing the Saints instead of Carolina, they should be much improved

[WrigleyField 22]

2 minutes ago, Brian707 said:

The divisional games yes but other than getting unlucky drawing the 49ers than the Cardinals its not so bad. I think they got lucky drawing the Saints instead of Carolina, they should be much improved

Thats actually a decent point.  Saints will have a new staff and may need to move on from Carr without an obvious path to finding a replacement level QB. Best bet they probably have is to win the Kirk Cousins for minimum sweepstakes and hope he rebounds.  Otherwise they could be an easy matchup. Carolina seems like they are on upswing (particularly with Youngs play to end year).

 

I guess we hope CMC is permanently broke and that 49ers have to cut a lot of weight to prepare for a Purdy extension and get to have the fun of premier QB money for him.

 

First step to 10 wins is 3-3 in the division.  They played 4 of the division games within a field goal with this roster/staff.  Minny could be down next year too if they opt to go to McCarthy or Darnold turns into pumpkin.

 

If they could go 3-3 in division, can they go 7-4 against following?

Giants Cowboys Commanders Eagles Steelers Browns Ravens Bengals Raiders Saints 49ers

 

Not a ton of room for error, but yes I think they have the capacity to get there from where they stand today (just very generally speaking, not a vote of confidence for who's actually making the decisions, but they can prove me wrong!)

[WrigleyField 22]

14 minutes ago, Hairyducked Idiot said:

The drafting of Justin Fields, the hiring of Ryan Poles and the continued employment of Ryan Poles are all part of the same organizational rot.

Thats very different than saying that the line of decision-making is dependent on the preceeding ones.

 

Yes, Bears fans should fear every decision that comes from the Bears organization.