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Robinson would make a TON of sense to trade, but haven't even heard whispers about him even being available. He's not productive right now. He's clearly disgruntled and his effort appears lacking from my eyes (which could be wrong obviously). Of course, part of the issue is he has a big cap hit and can't negotiate a new deal as a franchise tagged player. But I do wonder if the Bears could get a young WR and a 3rd or 4th for him. Maybe the Rams would be willing to give up Van Jefferson and a 4th to make a big SB run. Maybe the Jets would trade Denzel Mims and a 3rd for the chance to lure Robinson there long-term after the season. Maybe the Ravens (who made midseason trades the last couple years) would take an experienced WR for Devin Duvernay and a 4th. I don't think the rest of those guys are tradeable.

See here's what I don't like about this. Everybody pressured Nagy into playing Fields. Nagy told everyone he wasn't ready. But clearly the pressure from outside and above influenced his decision to start Fields. You can't now say he should sit Fields because he's not ready. Will a bad coach crush him more than getting benched for poor performance after 5 games? Essentially, we made our bed and now we have to lie in it. It’s a tough call no doubt. But Dalton‘s injury also influenced this decision. I think you can sit Fields back down and have it not be for poor performance in the sense that the organization feels he’s not good enough. I think it can be done in a way that is less damaging to his future than continuing to send him out there right now. I don't know how distinguishing the reason why he's getting benched would matter. Fields isn't stupid, he knows he's not playing well. He knows if they bench him, it will be because of his performance.

See here's what I don't like about this. Everybody pressured Nagy into playing Fields. Nagy told everyone he wasn't ready. But clearly the pressure from outside and above influenced his decision to start Fields. You can't now say he should sit Fields because he's not ready. Will a bad coach crush him more than getting benched for poor performance after 5 games? Essentially, we made our bed and now we have to lie in it.

The narrative will be that Nagy should be fired, just like it was against the Packers, Rams, and Browns. But IDK what a coach is supposed to do in a game like this. The Bears are moving the pocket, they are max protecting at times, they changed the personnel at RT, they are running the ball, they are throwing the ball down the field trying to do everything to help Fields out.....he's just playing like crap, against the same defense that made Patrick Mahomes look like crap and provided the blueprint that has been used this year to stop him. The Raiders and Bengals wins now look very good. The Bears are showing that they are not a team that can hang with elite contenders like Tampa, GB, a healthy Browns team, and LAR. We already knew that. But they have 2 more games against the NFL's elite. They have a decent chance to win every other game on their schedule. They won't, but as Denny Green said, "they are who we thought they were". They're a mediocre team dependent on a good defense that can win them games against other mediocre teams.

For those scoring at home, 4 TDs in this half for Tom Brady. 3 passing TDs for the Bears this year.

James Daniels has a huge ass.

Mostly solid coverage. Johnson got beat on the deep one, but anything other than a perfect throw and he breaks it up.

It may not be the best idea to have your 4th RT, who knew he was starting an hour ago, block a good edge rusher 1 on 1 on an obvious passing down. How many more horsefeathering times you gotta see it?

Decision was fine. Robinson was wide open. He threw it too far and behind him. ARob going toward sideline, Fields left the ball at the numbers.

I mean, even under the circumstance where Nagy gives up the playcalling, am I really supposed to buy in that Lazor is going to be the guy for the offense? I'm really skeptical Nagy can recruit a top offensive mind to run the ship because who's gonna really buy in that it's theirs to control? So you either need to bring in someone capable of fixing the offense themselves, or it's a D/ST coach and they can at least offer control of the offense to a strong OC candidate. Not wanting to switch coaches on a young QB is the only reason to keep Nagy, but not a good enough one. Fields hasn't exactly looked like he's mastered this offense, and it hasn't been geared to his strengths. And even with Nagy not calling plays, this is still one of the 3 worst offensive teams in the league. That's just not acceptable. Probably have to go with an offensive guy as the next coach. The thing about a defensive coach w/ a strong OC is that when those strong OCs have a good showing, other teams want them as a head coach. So, you essentially have to find a strong OC with strong assistants coming along with him, who are capable of taking over if the OC gets a HC job. The best guy for that was Brandon Staley, who came from the Fangio defense and had ties to the McVay offense.

Vuc is not a bad defender. He’s a slow defender and when playing with wings who can’t get over screens, a liability to your pick and roll defense. But he positions himself well, uses his body well, and alters shots without fouling. He’s also a solid defensive rebounder. I was discussing this with some friends last night...How is Coby going to get playing time? Who is giving up minutes? TBJ is the only guy I’d maybe like to see reduced minutes from. Maybe you can rest DD more and insert Coby in with the new bench mob to provide the instant offense. Yeah TBJ and Ayo will probably be the odd men out (they are kind of splitting a role now). But it should be short term as they showcase Coby for a trade for another big.

It's really hard to say what they will do with some guys because it should be a new GM. But if Pace manages to survive, I'd bet on the OL being status quo on the interior. He'll re-sign Daniels and probably won't pencil Mustipher in on the bench. He spent 5 years ignoring the line, can't see him doubling up on big moves there. Plus it's hard to say what a new coach would envision on the OL. The Bears have kind of built a power blocking group but maybe the next coach wants a quick, athletic OL.

Davante Adams kind of beat him pretty solidly on Sunday. Not a ton of catches, but a couple big plays. But IIRC, they had to move him to the slot, in a position that Johnson isn't used to playing, in order to have success. Johnson shut him down on the outside whenever Adams was lined up there. Slot corner is a major need for this team. Vildor might be better in the slot than the boundary, but Shelley & the rest are pretty underwhelming. Let's see what their other major needs are now/this offseason: LT Jenkins insurance RT Starter or Borom insurance RG if Daniels not resigned C upgrade on Mustipher (maybe not major) WR to replace ARob WR to fill out balance of roster after Mooney TE to replace Graham (resign James maybe) SS if Gipson not resigned It feels like there is still so much work to do to this roster, and next draft will be 2, 3, 5, 5, 6 (I don't think we'll be getting any comp picks based on all the needs and not much in the way of attractive FA leaving) Cap space for all the above is going to be tight, even with a cost controlled rookie contract QB and LT (and maybe RT) Not really worried about TE and SS. Graham is a non-factor now, no need to really replace him. I'm fine with re-signing James and throwing Horstead out there more. Maybe add another body late in the draft or a cheap vet FA if you need a 4th, but I don't think they do. SS, they need to get rid of Gipson. Bush is on IR, but DHC should get a long look as a starter this week with Gipson out. If he shows well, I wouldn't give Gipson the job back. But the Bears have been just fine on defense with replacement level SS play. And that's with Jackson no longer being an elite player (though he is still really good in coverage, which is overshadowed by his abysmal tackling). Maybe one of those 5ths like Amos was. Another cheap vet. DHC and Bush can be re-signed as usual for cheap. On OL, I feel like 1 really good player could go a long way. I love Daniels, and while he'll be a rare 24-year old FA, I don't think he'll ever be "really good". Whitehair won't ever be really good, just solid. You'd hope 1 of Jenkins or Borom is really good, and I'd give both a shot to show they aren't as soon as they are healthy. But Mustipher is bad. You can get away with Musty if you have a really good RG next to him. Or you get a really good C and bump Musty back to the bench. The problem is I don't think you can get "really good" and re-sign Daniels. And there's a lot of good guards in this FA class. You can get another Peters/Ifedi/Wilkinson at any point during the offseason. They'd be wise to use one of the 5 picks on the OL too just to keep the talent flowing. Nickel is a huge need, but is typically filled cheaply. Lot of interesting CBs in this draft, including guys that can play the slot. You can get cheap production at nickel on Day 3 of the draft (like they did with Callahan), but maybe best guy available with that 3rd rounder and move Vildor to NCB if you have to. Sure they'll bring in vets as well. WR will be interesting to me. The only guys under contract next year are Mooney and the practice squad guys (Newsome, Coulter, Adams, Webster). Robinson certainly won't be back and I'd wish they'd dangle him over the next 10 days to a contender. But I think the Bears should focus on WRs that get separation, which fits Fields' strengths. They went for speed this year with Goodwin, Byrd, and the never used Perriman, but they are just fast. They need fast guys that can actually run routes and separate from defenders. I'd look at guys like Cooks, Will Fuller, maybe Gallup (probably can't afford Courtland Sutton but he'd be ideal). Then they probably have to spend that 2nd on a WR. After that, gotta hope a PS guy (or 2) steps up.

Yeah, that's the good part. 22 yards per catch is the bad part. 32 and 47 yard catches allowed along with a DPI call (albeit weak). Did hold him out of the endzone as well. Wasn't trying to knock Johnson. Adams beats everybody, and it took taking Johnson into the slot, where he's not comfortable, to only beat Johnson a couple times. Adams is the best route runner in the sport, correct? Nah. I still think Diggs and a couple others are up there. Best over 6'? Probably

Davante Adams kind of beat him pretty solidly on Sunday. Not a ton of catches, but a couple big plays. But IIRC, they had to move him to the slot, in a position that Johnson isn't used to playing, in order to have success. Johnson shut him down on the outside whenever Adams was lined up there. All I know is that in his last 29 games, Davante has had 5 or less targets and 4 or less receptions in only 1 other game. He's a target and reception hog and we held him to 4 catches on 5 targets. Yeah, that's the good part. 22 yards per catch is the bad part. 32 and 47 yard catches allowed along with a DPI call (albeit weak). Did hold him out of the endzone as well. Wasn't trying to knock Johnson. Adams beats everybody, and it took taking Johnson into the slot, where he's not comfortable, to only beat Johnson a couple times.

TBH he was pretty invisible. But also have to remember he's still getting back into shape due to his injury, and this is the 2nd game he has played with most of these guys. I only watched the 2nd half and I didn't even notice him on the floor until the end for defense. Don't think he played many minutes.

Davante Adams kind of beat him pretty solidly on Sunday. Not a ton of catches, but a couple big plays. But IIRC, they had to move him to the slot, in a position that Johnson isn't used to playing, in order to have success. Johnson shut him down on the outside whenever Adams was lined up there.

I don't hate a young franchise building block publicly hating on his bad head coach.

Season tips off tonight. 1. Bucks 2. Nets 3. Sixers 4. Bulls 5. Hawks 6. Celtics 7. Heat 8. Knicks 1. Suns 2. Jazz 3. Lakers 4. Nuggets 5. Mavericks 6. Warriors 7. Clippers 8. Grizzlies *7 & 8 includes predicted play-in tournament winners. Bucks, Nets, Celtics, Bulls Suns, Jazz, Lakers, Mavericks Bucks, Nets Mavericks, Jazz Nets, Jazz Nets championship

The passing game was pretty "open" against Green Bay. But the attack was pretty well balanced, with 27 passes and 26 runs. Of course, there were 6 Fields runs in there and that Kmet lateral thing near the goalline which isn't really a run, and 4 sacks. Fields had plenty throws over 15 yards.

Last year, I was one of the few that called the Tampa game a W when the schedule came out. It was the perfect situation. They had to travel to Chicago on a short week for a Thursday night game. It was early enough in the season to where the Bucs hadn't completely become a juggernaut just yet. And the Bears still play the type of defense that's going to be tough to beat on a short week after traveling. This year, it's the opposite of that game. Tampa played LAST Thursday night and the Bears travel TO them when they have a long week. They brought back all 11 starters on a SB winning offense and have pretty much been clicking on all cylinders from Day 1 of this season. The Bears are going to get beat rather easily in this one. I'd be happy with them scoring early and hanging around for 3 quarters and giving themselves a chance in the 4th like yesterday, but this one should get ugly early. TB has won games 45-17 and 48-25 against Atlanta and Miami this year. While the Bears are better than those teams, the extra rest, road game, and coming off a rivalry game, seems all but certain the score is in that range. Tampa opened as 12.5 favorites.

For perspective, teams are 93-364 since the start of the 2019 season when scoring fewer than 20 points. A 0.204 win percentage. The Bears have scored less than 20 points on 22 different times (in 38 games!) and are actually 8-14 in those games for a 0.364 win percentage. Expected W/L in these games would be 4-18. Since the same point, teams are 465-180 (0.721) when they allow 24 or fewer points. The Bears are just 16-12 (.571) when this happens. And 28 of 38 games have had points allowed within this threshold! Expected W/L in these games would be 20-8. So, the Bears have what amounts to an 11-12 win defense (70% of the time), while fielding a 3-4 win offense (60% of the time) over the last 2 1/3 seasons. The results? A perfect split of the difference at 19-19. Great post. The bottom line has always been simple and still the Bears just can’t get their arms around it: The offense isn’t good enough. Except for 2018 - they need to score more points. That’s it. It’s not complicated. It’s the NFL in 2021, you can’t expect to be a winning football team if you aren’t putting up 20+ consistently (and occasionally 30 or 40). There will never be an 85 Bears D or a Ravens 2001 D or even a 2006 Bears D type super bowl again. Gotta roll with the times. Can't take credit for the post. Got it off of a stats guy on Twitter.

That's OK, him and the Packers will get their asses kicked in the playoffs and they'll end winning just as many SB's the season as the Bears will - 0. In facing playoff teams they don't have the luxury of opposition coaching ineptness and cowardice the Bears provide, bites them in the ass every time and will again this season. I also don't know why this is a thing Bears fans bring up. I mean, they've won 2 rings since the Bears have won their last. And making fun of a team for winning the division every year and losing in the NFC championship game, while your team has won 2 playoff games in 25 years is like making fun of the handsome multi-millionaire who bangs chicks every night at his bachelor pad because he doesn't have true love when you and your wife have been married for 30 years and sleep in separate bedrooms.

Yeah.....I'm not going to jail over a damn sports game. But to each his own. And he does own the Bears. As for the bad calls, yeah there were a bunch of them..... - Taunting call against Edwards, weak call but Edwards has a history (3 this season in 4 games) and it was the 1st play, gave them extra yards not necessarily drive changing probably would have scored anyway (of course would have if they called Rodgers for grabbing his facemask first, but that's literally never called on a QB) - backward run by Packers that somehow got a 1st down (of course it was 2nd and 1, they would have picked it up eventually) - holding call on Mustipher that wasn't a hold (Bears still scored a TD on that drive) - Packers got called for OPI in the endzone, which was very weak and they actually lost 4 points from that call. The only 1 really mattered was the neutral zone infraction. Fields rightfully thought he had a free play and threw up some crap. Of course, if Allen Robinson doesn't give up on his big armed, 4.4 running QB as he's escaping the pocket, he might have been able to make a play or get a DPI (his effort has been ass, I hope they look to trade him before the deadline).

For perspective, teams are 93-364 since the start of the 2019 season when scoring fewer than 20 points. A 0.204 win percentage. The Bears have scored less than 20 points on 22 different times (in 38 games!) and are actually 8-14 in those games for a 0.364 win percentage. Expected W/L in these games would be 4-18. Since the same point, teams are 465-180 (0.721) when they allow 24 or fewer points. The Bears are just 16-12 (.571) when this happens. And 28 of 38 games have had points allowed within this threshold! Expected W/L in these games would be 20-8. So, the Bears have what amounts to an 11-12 win defense (70% of the time), while fielding a 3-4 win offense (60% of the time) over the last 2 1/3 seasons. The results? A perfect split of the difference at 19-19.