Tag: Bears offseason

Despite shortened offseason, Nick Foles not at disadvantage in QB battle

Nick Foles will battle Mitchell Trubisky for the Bears’ starting QB job. Despite the shortened offseason, Foles is prepared.

It’s not a question that the headline that will dominate training camp and preseason will be the quarterback competition between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles.

Although, this certainly wasn’t the way the Bears had anticipated this offseason going amid the coronavirus pandemic. But despite the shortened offseason, Bears head coach Matt Nagy insists that Foles is in no way at a disadvantage heading into this quarterback battle.

Considering Foles’ experience in a Nagy-like offense, he’s been able to pick up pretty quickly with the digital playbook and through virtual meetings.

“It’s like riding a bike,” Nagy told reporters Friday. “He’s been through some different offenses, even from the last time we were together in Kansas City, but once you present somebody like Nick the playbook and they start looking at it, all of a sudden it just clicks.

“You start remembering it and you just start retraining your brain from what you knew in the past year or couple years… There’s still terminology differences between all of us, but that doesn’t take much. And Nick’s a smart guy.”

The Bears traded a fourth-round pick for Foles this offseason, a move which was widely criticized by NFL experts. But considering the circumstances of this offseason — which limits on-field activity during offseason workouts — the Bears made the move that was best for them.

Foles already has experience in this type of offense, dating back to his days in Kansas City and Philadelphia, which should make for a relatively seamless transition. While there are terminology differences with Nagy’s offense, Foles has a fundamental understanding of this offense, which could wind up being invaluable for the Bears should he win the starting quarterback job over Trubisky.

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What has Bears virtual rookie minicamp looked like?

Bears rookies are getting a unique welcome to the franchise through virtual rookie minicamp.

The Chicago Bears’ offseason program has looked a little different than in years’ past due to the coronavirus pandemic. But they’ve handled free agency, the 2020 NFL Draft and now their virtual offseason program with ease.

Now, they’re tackling rookie minicamp, where Chicago’s rookies are getting a unique welcome to the franchise.

The Bears’ Twitter account shared a video that gave fans a glimpse into how the team has been working around the social distancing guidelines that come with this virtual offseason.

The rookies got a welcome from their new teammates — virtually, of course — as well as held a virtual meeting with head coach Matt Nagy, general manager Ryan Pace and other coaches, where Nagy presented the rookies with a look at the Bears’ culture.

Nagy continued to stress the “Be You” mantra that has been his calling card since he arrived in 2018, which included a Tik Tok video of defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano dancing. If there’s one positive to come out of this virtual offseason, it’s been the intimate looks at these players and coaches at their own homes.

We caught some quick glimpses of Nagy getting to know his new players, including their hobbies and quizzing them on random things like country capitals.

While the rookies haven’t had a chance to show their coaches what they’ve got on the field, they’re getting to know their coaches, teammates and the playbook from the comfort of their own homes.

It’s still unclear when teams will reopen facilities for players and staff, but the hope is before training camp begins in late July. The Bears will continue their virtual offseason with the start of organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp in the coming weeks.

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What is Bears’ biggest need heading into 2020 NFL Draft?

Life was so much simpler when kicker was seemingly the Bears’ only need last offseason. Now, they have several roster needs to address.

Life was so much simpler when kicker was seemingly the Chicago Bears’ only need last offseason.

But following a disappointing 2019 season, where the Bears failed to finish above .500, there are several roster concerns — surprisingly not kicker — that general manager Ryan Pace needs to address if the Bears hope to get back on track.

While the Bears have been active in free agency — including bringing in tight end Jimmy Graham, pass rusher Robert Quinn and quarterback Nick Foles — their roster still has holes heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.

The downfall of this team last season was the offense, which boasts several areas of concern, including quarterback, tight end and offensive line. Most of this offseason has been focused on fixing Chicago’s abysmal offense, which ranked near the bottom of the league last season.

Matt Nagy started with bringing in some new offensive minds — new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, offensive line coach Juan Castillo and tight ends coach Clancy Barrone. It’s not coincidental that those additions signal the team’s biggest concerns this offseason.

The Bears have a vacant right guard position left by the retired Kyle Long to fill. Pace brought in former first-rounder Germain Ifedi, but he’s not necessarily the guaranteed answer at guard. But right guard is far from the offensive line’s only concern. Following a collective disappointing outing by the offensive line last season, the Bears need to consider building for the future, especially at the tackle position.

Chicago certainly upgraded the tight end position with the addition of Graham, but that says more about the Bears than anything. Considering the importance of the tight end position in Nagy’s offense, the collective disappointing outing from tight ends was frustrating and unacceptable. Pace isn’t necessarily done either at the tight end position, even with the offseason additions of Graham and Demetrius Harris.

There’s not much that hasn’t been said about the Bears’ current quarterback predicament. Mitchell Trubisky’s starting job is no guarantee with the addition of Foles, who boasts a Super Bowl Championship and MVP to his resume. The Bears certainly didn’t envision a quarterback competition between their former No. 2 overall pick and an expensive veteran at this point in Trubisky’s career, but here we are. And Pace shouldn’t be done at the quarterback position either.

While there aren’t many concerns about the Bears’ vaunted defense, there are still roster holes that need to be filled. Chicago have starting safety and cornerback spots available, following the departures of safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and cornerback Prince Amukamara. While the Bears have some potential replacements currently on the roster, Pace would do well to bring in some young players that can challenge for those starting jobs.

What do you think, Bears fans? What’s the Bears’ biggest need heading into the NFL Draft?

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Important offseason dates for 2020 NFL season

The offseason will be a busy one for every team, including the Bears. Here are a look at some important dates this offseason in 2020.

The Chicago Bears are just two days into their 2020 offseason, and there’s plenty of work left to be done.

The Bears have already begun tackling their offensive concerns with the firing of three offensive coaches, including offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, offensive line coach Harry Hiestand and tight ends coach Kevin Gilbride.

But the work has only just begun. The offseason will be a busy one for every team, including the Bears.

Here are a look at some important dates this offseason:

  • Feb. 24-Mar. 2: Scouting Combine
  • Feb. 25: First day for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
  • Mar. 10: Deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
  • Mar. 18: Free agency begins
  • Mar. 29-Apr. 1: Annual League Meeting
  • Apr. 20: Offseason workout program begins for teams with returning head coaches
  • Apr. 23-25: 2020 NFL Draft

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