Tag: Bears offseason

PFF dubs quarterback, offensive line, receiver as Bears’ biggest offseason needs

It’s no surprise that quarterback, offensive line and wide receiver were all singled out as the Bears’ biggest needs this offseason.

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The Chicago Bears are facing an offseason with several position needs that will need to addressed for this team to improve, which starts on offense.

Pro Football Focus examined the biggest needs for every NFL team this offseason, and it’s no surprise that quarterback, offensive line and wide receiver were all singled out as Chicago’s biggest needs.

The Mitchell Trubisky experiment has failed on multiple occasions now and adding Nick Foles to the roster as a hedge did little to help. It’s time for the team to clean house at the position and start over. Maybe one of those players can serve as a solid backup, but the Bears need a new starter.

Trubisky recorded twice as many turnover-worthy plays as big-time throws this season, and while Foles was better in that regard, he still passed for just 5.9 yards per attempt and earned a PFF passing grade below 70.0 in a season of record passing numbers.

With general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy’s jobs on the line this year, expect them to make a splash in the quarterback market. It looks like they’ve been exploring all avenues so far this offseason, which includes a couple of star quarterbacks that are on or appear to be on the trade block in Houston’s Deshaun Watson and Detroit’s Matthew Stafford.

While the Bears might not land either, the fact that they’ve been mentioned in conjunction with both shows that they’re looking at all options.

Aside from quarterback, the Bears have two other significant needs to address on offense — the offensive line and wide receiver. While Chicago seems to have a solid core intact with the interior of the line — with Cody Whitehair, James Daniels, Sam Mustipher and Alex Bars — the tackles remain the issue.

The Bears need to address the offensive line in the NFL draft, especially considering right tackle Bobby Massie figures to be a cap-casualty this offseason.

Chicago could also be facing a future without wide receiver Allen Robinson, who appears poised to hit the free-agent market in March. After not locking him down to a contract extension this season, the Bears will have to replace their No. 1 receiver that managed to thrive in one of the league’s worst offenses over the last couple of seasons.

They’ll likely explore the NFL draft and could even turn to free agency where players like Kenny Golladay and JuJu Smith-Schuster will be available.

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Matt Nagy: Bears players came into training camp in ‘exceptional shape’

Matt Nagy ended the Bears’ virtual offseason program early to give his players time to train and get in shape ahead of training camp.

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy ended the team’s virtual offseason program a week and a half early in order to give his players time to focus on training to get in shape ahead of training camp.

And given Nagy’s impression of his players when they reported to Halas Hall this summer, they certainly did just that.

“Our players, to their credit, they’ve come into camp in exceptional shape,” Nagy told the media on Wednesday. “We weren’t sure how that was going to happen, not knowing where they were and what they had to be able to work out in during the quarantine. But I’m just really proud of the players for the way that they came into shape.”

Nagy singled out defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson as those that showed up to camp in excellent shape.

With the offseason program being entirely virtual due to COVID-19, it’s been nearly seven months since Bears coaches have seen most of these players. While Nagy was confident players would remain in good physical condition, they didn’t have the same access to gyms that were closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“You kind of hold your breath when you haven’t seen these guys this whole time,” Nagy said. “I know what I was doing and there’s others, too, and there’s a lot more eating than there is working out over that quarantine. And so you never really know where these guys are at. But I know our guys and just from seeing them now, they made an executive decision as a whole that they’re going to work their tails off and get in good shape. And if they’re going to eat during the quarantine, they’re going to do a lot of working out.”

Bears players spent their offseason training for the start of camp, and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky even organized some offseason workouts with teammates in the Chicago area.

While 2020 has been anything but ideal, the Bears are dealing with this unconventional season as it comes.

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Bears rank No. 24 in FTW’s NFL summer power rankings

For the Win doesn’t have much confidence in the Bears this season, which is a sentiment shared by analysts across the NFL.

For the Win’s Steven Ruiz recently released his NFL summer power rankings, where he discussed where each of the 32 teams rank ahead of training camp.

As for the Chicago Bears, Ruiz doesn’t have much confidence, as seems to be the general consensus from analysts around the league. Chicago ranked No. 24, and the quarterback situation is a big reason why.

The starting quarterback will be either Nick Foles or Mitch Tribusky, which should be enough of an explanation for why the Bears don’t rank higher. The only major addition was Robert Quinn, which was a smart signing, but there were a lot of problems areas on the roster that were unaddressed. Chicago is just treading water.

The Bears made some big moves on the offensive side of the ball starting with the addition of veteran quarterback Nick Foles, who will battle Mitchell Trubisky for the starting job. They also overhauled their tight ends room with the addition of rookie Cole Kmet and veterans Jimmy Graham and Demetrius Harris. New offensive coaches Bill Lazor, John DeFilippo, Juan Castillo and Clancy Barone are also significant additions.

As far as defense goes, the Bears addressed one of the biggest concerns with the addition of pass rusher Robert Quinn, who replaces Leonard Floyd. They also added rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who will battle Tre Roberson, Artie Burns and Kevin Toliver for the starting job, as well as safety Tashaun Gipson, who will compete with Deon Bush for the starting strong safety job opposite Eddie Jackson.

While the Bears didn’t make any splashes this offseason, they also made some moves in-house to retain guys like Eddie Jackson (who signed a massive four-year extension), inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (who signed a three-year extension), defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris and defensive back Sherrick McManis among others.

Outside of Halas Hall, no one has confidence in what the Bears can accomplish this season. And that won’t change until Chicago proves it on the field.

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Bears TE Cole Kmet ready to show everyone what he can do as a rookie

Cole Kmet has been praised by Matt Nagy for how quickly he’s grasped the playbook as a rookie, and Kmet feels confident heading into camp.

This offseason has been unlike any other in NFL history, where players and coaches have had to work from home through virtual meetings and independent workouts.

For rookies like Chicago’s top draft pick tight end Cole Kmet, it’s been difficult not to get that time during minicamps and organized team activities (OTAs) at Halas Hall to learn the offense.

And while this offseason has been completely virtual, Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has been organizing workouts with teammates in the Chicago area, where they’ve been working on routes, continuing to build that chemistry and staying in shape.

Kmet has been among a handful of players at these workouts, which have also included receiver Allen Robinson, running backs David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen, as well as fellow tight end Demetrius Harris.

Kmet appeared on a Facebook Live with former Bear Chris Zorich, where they discussed his journey navigating football and baseball from the high school level to his time at Notre Dame to being the Bears’ top draft pick this year.

The Bears’ second-round pick has been trying to keep in shape and learn the playbook as quickly as he can without the benefit of on-field practices at Halas Hall. He’s been praised by Matt Nagy for how quickly he’s grasped the playbook as a rookie, and Kmet feels confident heading into camp.

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“Just kind of working out with some of the guys in the area right now,” Kmet said. “Running routes and that type of stuff and kind of staying in shape that way. We’ve been putting in the work. I’m excited to get getting going on the field with these guys and show them what I can do as a rookie coming in. I’m just going to continue to study up on that playbook, and when camp rolls around, I’m going to be ready to go.”

They also discussed training camp, which is coming up next month. Kmet said the current report date is July 21, which figures to be for rookies. Rookies typically report a few days earlier than veterans, but with the lack of an on-field offseason, perhaps veterans will be allowed back, as well.

Obviously, all of this depends on what the NFL chooses to do. It’s a tentative schedule, but Kmet feels confident that it’s going to happen.

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There will be no Chicago Bears minicamp in 2020

The NFL sent a memo to teams announcing that mandatory in-person minicamps won’t take place.

The next time the Chicago Bears hit the field at Halas Hall it will be for training camp in late July.

Mandatory minicamps were scheduled to begin next week. But amid the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL has taken precautionary measures and told teams  that mandatory minicamps are no longer happening.

Here’s what NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told teams:

Although under a traditional schedule, mandatory minicamps are scheduled to open next week, after discussion with the CEC, we have concluded that it would be prudent not to hold in-person minicamps under the current circumstances and have instead determined to extend the Virtual Period through and including June 26. We will continue working with the NFLPA to conclude the remaining protocols and finalize arrangements for the safe opening of training camps next month.

Bears coach Matt Nagy made the decision to end the team’s virtual offseason at the end of this week, which is a week and half earlier than what was initially scheduled.

The Bears don’t have any plans to return to Halas Hall ahead of training camp, which should be later next month.

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Chicago Bears’ 8 biggest offseason additions in 2020

Bears GM Ryan Pace has been busy this offseason adding players to this roster that he believes will help Chicago in 2020 and beyond.

The Chicago Bears are looking to rebound following a disappointing season in 2019. But they’ll have to do it without several players from last year, who departed in free agency or were released by the team.

General manager Ryan Pace has been busy this offseason adding players to this roster that he believes will help the Bears in 2020 and beyond. Whether it was free agency or the 2020 NFL Draft, Chicago is banking on these additions to help them get back to the postseason.

Here are the Bears’ eight biggest additions this offseason.

1. EDGE Robert Quinn

Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Ultimately, pass rushers are judged by how they get after the quarterback. And the Bears couldn’t justify paying Leonard Floyd $13.2 million for his production. Chicago was able to lock up former All-Pro Robert Quinn, which serves to do wonders for their pass rush. With both Khalil Mack and Quinn coming off the edge, teams are going to have to pick their poison.

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Bears players, staff likely won’t report to Halas Hall until July

Several NFL teams have already begun returning to team facilities, but Chicago is being cautious and will be virtual until further notice.

While several NFL teams have already begun returning to team facilities — with others scheduled to do so in the coming weeks — the Chicago Bears are being cautious.

The Bears continue to conduct virtual organized team activities (OTAs) amid the coronavirus pandemic, and that doesn’t sound like it’s going to change anytime soon.

According to Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer, the Bears likely won’t report to Halas Hall until they’re required to in late July.

Some coaches aren’t expected back in the office until the start of training camp—the Saints’ and Colts’ staffs are two under those conditions. The Bears and Lions are working remotely until further notice, and trending in the direction of not having a mandate until July. 

The NFL began allowing coaches to return to team facilities last Friday, but it sounds like the Bears are comfortable assuming coaching responsibilities from home for the time being.

At this point, minicamps aren’t likely to happen, which means that the first time the Bears reunite on the field will be for training camp in late July.

This year, training camp figures to be more meaningful given several position battles for starting spots, including the quarterback battle between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles. Also up for grabs are starting jobs at cornerback, safety, right guard and receiver.

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One NFL analyst believes Bears among teams sitting at ‘rock bottom’

CBS Sports’ Jason LaCanfora ranked the Bears among the five worst teams in the NFL, those sitting at “rock bottom.”

The Chicago Bears appear to be the punching bag of the NFL’s 2020 offseason. No matter this a team that had a majorly disappointing season and still came out of it with a 8-8 record.

When one analyst discussed the Bears being among the worst two teams in the NFL, it was a bold take. Then when others started piling on, it’s become a trend.

CBS Sports’ Jason LaCanfora is the latest to criticize the Bears, ranking them among the five worst teams in the NFL — those at “rock bottom” — which also includes the New York Giants, New York Jets, Washington Redskins and Jacksonville Jaguars.

No QB of the present, no QB of the future, not enough draft capital and a front office that has gone a long while without hitting a double much less a homer, with far too many K’s along the way.

The other four teams mentioned — the Giants, Jets, Redskins and Jaguars — all had less wins than the Bears a season ago. And considering the Bears were a 12-4 team the previous season with basically the same roster, there’s reason to believe that they should be better if they fix the offense in 2020.

Look, it’s easy to understand why the Bears have become the punching bag for analysts this offseason. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is the biggest reason. He regressed significantly in his third season to the point that the Bears brought in Nick Foles to challenge for the starting job in 2020.

But it wasn’t just Trubisky that was bad — although it’s easy to place the blame on him. The entire offense was bad, which was concerning considering Year 2 was supposed to be when this unit progressed under Matt Nagy.

While the offense remains the biggest concern for the Bears heading into 2020, analysts seem to forget that Chicago returns a top-five defense from the previous two season — a unit that has made some upgrades at pass rusher and safety.

This was also a defense that suffered injuries to key starters in defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and linebackers Danny Trevathan and Roquan Smith. Still, in spite of the injury struggles, they finished as one of the NFL’s top defenses.

While it’s fair to question whether the Bears can eclipse the .500 mark in 2020, ranking them among the worst teams in the NFL when they weren’t last season is a lazy take.

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What does this virtual offseason look like for Chicago Bears?

This virtual offseason program has been a learning experience for Bears head coach Matt Nagy, who’s had to adjust to this new reality.

This NFL offseason is unlike any other in the storied 100 years of the league. While the Chicago Bears would’ve normally gathered at Halas Hall at this time, they’ve had to conduct their offseason programs virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, which isn’t exactly ideal.

It’s something that has been a learning experience for Bears head coach Matt Nagy, who’s had to adjust to this new reality.

“You can take everything we’ve done in prior years and you can just throw it out the window,” Nagy told reporters Friday, via ChicagoBears.com.

The Bears recently conducted rookie minicamp, which looked a lot different than in the past, which has been both a negative and a positive. Typically, the rookies would gather at Halas Hall, where the Bears coaching staff would get a look at them on the football field. That’s not possible this year, so, instead, it’s allowed a more detailed teaching of the playbook that Nagy hopes benefits these rookies.

“Obviously, you’re not on the football field,” Nagy said. “So what we’re trying to do now is say, ‘OK, when we’re teaching the plays and the playbook to these players, is it more important to do a lot and see what they can digest right now? [Or] is it more important—the whole less-is-more thing, [to focus on] the quality and productiveness of the plays that you teach them?’

“We’re detailing the plays right now like we’ve never detailed before. We have time to do that. And I think what this has done is it’s forced us to kind of automatically pull back and realize that you have to use your time in different ways. The players have been really good with that.”

One of the benefits of conducting this virtual offseason program has been the increased individual instruction from position coaches, which has been lacking in the past. This has allowed coaches to focus on the details with individual players.

“The one thing that we came out of the last couple years as coaches is, we felt like as individual position coaches there probably wasn’t enough individual time with the players,” Nagy said. “What can happen is you can get caught up in doing so much installations and teach them plays as a group that the position coaches miss the details of their own teaching of their players. We were going to do it already, but this has really forced us to do individual teaching or coaching.”

While Nagy has been all business during this virtual offseason, he’s also kept things fresh with virtual sessions called “coffee shops,” which allow players and coaches to talk about life outside of football.

Nagy has also brought in several guest speakers to talk to players and coaches, some of which were Hall of Famers and future Hall of Famers.

The NFL has gradually begun to reopen facilities on Tuesday — in conjunction with state mandates — but we’re still a ways off from things returning to normal. Until then, the Bears and the other 31 clubs will continue to navigate their offseason programs virtually until they can get back on the practice field, hopefully in time for training camp.

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ESPN believes Bears had the second worst offseason

The Bears didn’t make any waves this offseason, but they did upgrade at several positions. Still, they ranked among the worst offseasons.

The Chicago Bears didn’t make any waves in free agency and the NFL Draft, but they did upgrade at some positions on offense and defense, including quarterback, tight end, pass rusher and safety.

But ESPN’s Bill Barnwell believes the Bears had the second worst offseason in the NFL, ranking just behind the Houston Texans. As far as the rest of the NFC North goes, Barnwell ranked the Detroit Lions at No. 29, the Green Bay Packers at No. 27 and the Minnesota Vikings weren’t yet ranked.

The biggest reason for that rationale was how the Bears handled the quarterback position this offseason in trading for quarterback Nick Foles, a move that has been both praised and criticized.

Despite the fact that Foles’ contract was a disaster for the Jaguars, the Bears sent a fourth-round pick to acquire him and didn’t force the Jags to eat any of the money, instead restructuring $21 million in guarantees to come due over the next three seasons. Foles could work out as the team’s starter, but this is the equivalent of signing an expensive three-year gym membership as a college senior. There couldn’t have been much of a market for Foles, and Andy Dalton, who was cut by the Bengals after the draft, came without the pick or significant cash attached.

The Jimmy Graham deal was likely the worst contract of free agency, as a Bears team that had already committed significant assets to tight ends Dion Sims, Adam Shaheen and Trey Burton under Pace gave Graham a two-year, $16 million deal with $9 million guaranteed and a truly inexplicable no-trade clause. Graham can’t block, and he was anonymous during his time with the Packers. 

Barnwell went on to further explain about how the Bears mishandled the quarterback position, citing there were better options than Foles on the market. While that might be true, considering this shortened offseason amid the coronavirus pandemic, they brought in the best option in Foles. Foles has experience in a Matt Nagy-like offense, which is invaluable considering the on-field limitations.

While Barnwell spent most of the piece droning on about all of the areas the Bears didn’t handle well — signing tight end Jimmy Graham, not bringing in a veteran cornerback — he did give them props for upgrading the pass rush with Robert Quinn and bringing in some veterans like offensive lineman Germain Ifedi and cornerback Artie Burns, as well as not exercising Mitchell Trubisky’s fifth-year option.

But he also failed to mention that Chicago added a veteran safety in Tashaun Gipson to start alongside Eddie Jackson, as well as bringing in two likely-immediate starters in second-round tight end Cole Kmet and cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

While the Bears didn’t have the greatest offseason — they were strapped for cap space, after all — they did make some upgrades on both offense and defense that should help them get back on track in 2020.

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