WrigleyField 22

I think he's worried if the Bears turn it around with Mitch they'll give him a dumb extension. why would that be bad, assuming Mitch turns it around ala Alex Smith?? Should we just give him to the Bengals once he's figured it out? It really depends on what that hypothetical would mean. If Mitch of 2018 were to be his ceiling, that's a QB who you'd really struggle to build a team around with a giant extension. But they could have a "turnaround" year like that and fool people, when really 2018 Mitch as a ceiling isn't enough. He could settle into just being, like most average QBs, very inconsistent and not a true difference maker.

what? I think he's worried if the Bears turn it around with Mitch they'll give him a dumb extension.

Yes, a castoff like Alex Smith plus Andy Reid plus a 1st round pick. The Bears are not in the situation KC was in. The Bears will not have an Andy Reid to pull that off. They are better off trying to grow with the guys they have and hope Nagy learns from mistakes and together with Pace they get the right guy in 2021. Pace made the team better than it was, Nagy got the most out of them last year. There is something there with this group. They need to fix the offensive line and then draft a QB in 2021. I just don't think Nagy is the guy to lead the team anymore. Since I don't think they'll move on from him, I'll hope 2019 is the outlier and not 2018, but the best case scenario seems like he's a good HC who will need to hire good OCs to run his system, which obviously wasn't the purpose of hiring an offensive minded HC.

They really won't. It's not just about a lack of top 5 QB, it's about having to settle for a 2nd round QB or take a flyer on some other team's castoff. They'd probably be much better off drafting offensive line with the first five picks they still have in 2020* and force Mitch to play through whatever injuries he gets before drafting the best available QB in 2021. Not to mention, there isn't an Andy Reid available to run this turnaround. Some other teams castoff like Alex Smith in 2013? We can call the success odds of that whatever we want because I know targeting a Alex Smith turnaround isn't great odds, but there's a decent basis to work with in the current roster. Whether it's a journeyman vet, a failed castoff with a second chance, a day 2 pick, or hell, even settling Mitch down enough to hold the fort for 1 year, the next GM/coach duo better be looking at a quick 1-2 year turnaround back into PO contention. This isnt a roster worthy of blowing up.

Nah, thanks.

A brand new QB and a top of the first found pick are two very key ingredients that the Bears will not have access to. The Bears will have access to a new QB. Not gonna be a top 5 pick, but plenty of teams have turned it around without picking a top 5 QB. The lack of a first round let sucks and all, but this team is worlds ahead of where Pace picked it up from where everyone was like, "gotta give the guy a few years". If a new HC/GM combo needs 4 years that combo sucks.

No I don't think Pace should or will get another HC hire. I'd guess ownership will be conservative and give both guys another year at the helm. So if that's what you're factoring into the 3-3 years that makes sense, but it shouldn't take 2-3 years because Pace and Nagy probably shouldn't be back at this point, IMO. Even if they do an overhaul this offseason, the next group isn't going to try and patch things with the current roster. They'll have an opportunity to tear it down and start fresh, which makes the 2-3 years a possible 4. Andy Reid 2012-13 in KC is a great recent example of not doing that. Going and grabbing Alex Smith obviously was a pretty big part of that immediate turnaround but they didn't just totally take the axe to the roster, and to the extent they did get their own guys in they did enough in year 1 to see an immediate playoff birth. Pioli, like Pace, hadn't kept the cupboard totally bare, it was just flawed, and it started with the coaching up top (that team was 2-14 and actually had their pick, which obviously helped, but they used it on a OT, not like they went and drafted an offense changing QB or RB who just totally changed the complexion of what they'd otherwise have done..seems like FA was modest for them too .) If a new QB to the tune of pre 2013 Alex Smith is a key component of a quick turnaround, I don't think thats a unrealistically lofty goal for a new leadership group.

On principle because they suck? Yes. To save cap space? No, they both have some dead cap hit. Cutting Massie only saves you $2.9m and cutting Leno actually costs you $2.5m more. FYI, you flipped these guys. Other way around, but right numbers.

Save about 3M to cut Leno. Or a bit more as a post June 1 cut. Massie is a Post June 1 cut only. His structure is a bit different though and his dead cap is almost all gone after this offseason. Leno is more signing bonus heavy so the dead cap lingers. Bears repeating for Floyd, but his 13M is only guaranteed for injury. They could add all that space back.

Well if its predicated on getting a good QB they could be stuck for a long time. A decent QB with a better coach is a more short term goal, that could still try and utilize the talent they do have now (on both sides of the ball). Ryan Pace isn't getting another shot at the coaching hire. And I don't think ownership wants to re-spin the "every 2 years we get somebody new plan" wheel. No I don't think Pace should or will get another HC hire. I'd guess ownership will be conservative and give both guys another year at the helm. So if that's what you're factoring into the 3-3 years that makes sense, but it shouldn't take 2-3 years because Pace and Nagy probably shouldn't be back at this point, IMO.

2-3 years away from what? Better offensive coaching could go a long way to having this team in the playoffs next year IMO. They are stuck in QB hell next year regardless of coaching and will be relying on a rookie QB in 2021. Maybe they get lucky and it works as soon as then, or maybe it takes a year or so. Well if its predicated on getting a good QB they could be stuck for a long time. A decent QB with a better coach is a more short term goal, that could still try and utilize the talent they do have now (on both sides of the ball).

I turned it off in the 2nd half so I can't speak for everything, but a couple of the "drops" were really poorly thrown balls guys had to try and catch via acrobatics. And there was the underthrown should have been touchdown allowing the DB to break it up. Mitch had his best drive of the year, and looked pretty good at times. But he still suffered from the same problems he's suffered every week. Any way, we're still in the same situation as before. The offense is a mess from top to bottom. The defense is still good, but beginning to crack. We're a good 2-3 years away from turning it around. 2-3 years away from what? Better offensive coaching could go a long way to having this team in the playoffs next year IMO.

Mitch could hardly answer the questions straight and was avoiding all eye contact. I'm almost never one to go full conspiracy theory, but I'm going full hog wild. The PR team is trying to protect Nagy. I just can't figure out why Mitch is also falling on the sword for him. Absolutely best case is that Mitch did tweek something, but it was not an injury you'd pull a guy for a Nagy used that as a weak pretext to do so. Mitch didn't play that great (I'd probably put it as slightly better than the GB game), but it was not a "pull the starter" performance. Can the trainers / medical staff lie about it? Come back with an injury diagnosis that isn't true? During the week I know they are held to certain reporting requirements. Not sure about in game. Even if there is technically an injury there the excuse is pure BS. Poor footwork leading to going all arm on throws? Maybe Mitch's hip has been hurt for 3 years.

I don't buy it. Well, Nagy talked at length about it, said he asked Mitch to be honest about how he was feeling and then Mitch said he was hurt. Mitch could hardly answer the questions straight and was avoiding all eye contact. I'm almost never one to go full conspiracy theory, but I'm going full hog wild. The PR team is trying to protect Nagy. I just can't figure out why Mitch is also falling on the sword for him. Absolutely best case is that Mitch did tweek something, but it was not an injury you'd pull a guy for a Nagy used that as a weak pretext to do so. Mitch didn't play that great (I'd probably put it as slightly better than the GB game), but it was not a "pull the starter" performance.

I don't buy it.

Nagy isn't the coach, and I think that means a whole turnover is needed unfortunately. I just doubt it's gonna happen this offseason. Basically every iteration of the Phillips/George McCaskey leadership has failed. Next one should just be handing the keys to the biggest college coach you can get ala the Pete Carroll model (ideally a guy with pro experience, obviously).

Mitch had a hip injury? http://giphygifs.s3.amazonaws.com/media/Fml0fgAxVx1eM/giphy.gif

With what draft pick? 2 2nd rounders Yea, left out the (now 2) top guys who will certainly be gone in the first. Tuas draft stock being killed certainly hurts though, could push up the other guys.

Hurts/Fromm/Eason/Love watch.

Mitch must be really horsefeathering up beyond what the TV cameras show. Whether its missed guys the screen doesn't show or just awful adjustments at the line. Because he hasn't played well, but this wasnt a "bench your starter" performance or game situation.

Uh Trubisky era officially dead?

Man it feels like the Bears have been bailed on a bunch of inconsequential penalties.

Trubisky's best drive of the season?

What the horsefeathers.

Also I'm obviously okay without 2B tax payer subsidized stadiums, but the soldier field reno also used 400M+ of public subsidies so its not as if they're ahead on that count.