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Bleacher Report gives Bears “C” grade for 2019 season

A season that began with Super Bowl expectations ended in disappointment for the Bears, with a 8-8 record and no playoff berth.

The Chicago Bears are two days into a premature offseason following a season that began with Super Bowl expectations and ended with a 8-8 record and no playoff berth.

On the final day of the decade, it’s hard not to think back about how miserable these last 10 years have been as a whole for this franchise. And yet, the 2019 doesn’t rank near the bottom.

Bleacher Report gave the Bears a “C” grade for their 2019 season.

Trubisky’s subpar play isn’t the only issue. The Bears didn’t find much success running the football with their rookie third-rounder David Montgomery. He averaged 3.5 yards per carry behind an offensive line that ranked 31st in run-blocking adjusted line yards (3.71), per Football Outsiders.

Defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano took over the top-scoring defense. Although the Bears listed fifth in the category, the unit lost a bit of its edge. In comparison to the 2018 campaign, Chicago’s sack and takeaway totals dropped under its new play-caller.

The Bears took a step back, but they have enough playmakers for a better showing in 2020 if the coaching staff can optimize its roster talent.

The 2019 season was one of wasted opportunities and shattered expectations, which is why it feels even more brutal than it actually was. This was supposed to be the Bears’ year — the year where they finally made it back to the Super Bowl. Everything was in place, and they were coming off their best season in years.

But a lack of execution and the pressure of those high expectations ultimately spelled the downfall of this team. As we prepare for a new decade, let’s hope this next decade is far kinder to the Bears than this one was.

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While Bears offense needs plenty of fixing, same can’t be said of defense

In their first season under DC Chuck Pagano, the Bears defense has found success. They’ll be looking to build off that in 2020.

While the Chicago Bears will have plenty to fix on offense this offseason, the same won’t be said for the defense, which is concluding its first season under new defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano.

Much like the offense did this past offseason, the Bears defense will be relying on continuity in order to take the next step in 2020 — something that Chicago’s offense failed to do this season.

“It’s very obvious that the offensive side of the ball is something that is going to be very, very important to me to get right,” Bears coach Matt Nagy said. “It’s plain and simple. So that’s going to be that. And when I say me, I mean all of us, staff and obviously [general manager] Ryan [Pace]. So that’s going to be a focus.

“Chuck and his staff will be doing what they need to do to figure out, OK, just like us last year on offense — where we obviously didn’t figure out the right way — but finding out what you do well and what you don’t do well.’”

When Vic Fangio left to become the head coach of the Denver Broncos, the Bears’ vacant defensive coordinator position was an attractive job for inquiring defensive minds. But given the success the Bears defense had in 2018 — where they ranked at or near the top in most defensive statistical categories — regression was going to be expected because of the sheer amount of success they had the previous year.

“It’s not easy, No. 1,” Nagy said. “It’s never easy following up the amount of success that we had here the previous year. And with the players that are on this defense. As enticing and sexy as it was to be the next defensive coordinator here with this team, there’s also extreme responsibility and accountability to walking into that.”

The Bears defense found success in its first season under Pagano, where they’ve allowed the fifth fewest points in the NFL this season with 18.6. But they’ve been ravaged with injuries, and they haven’t been as effective in producing takeaways, something they thrived off last season.

But with an offseason to continue to learn under Pagano, the Bears defense will be looking to build off the success they’ve had in 2019. It certainly helps that their defense will look pretty similar to this year’s. The only players whose contracts are up are linebacker Danny Trevathan and safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, although that doesn’t mean others are safe as general manager Ryan Pace will need to create some salary cap space.

“I know things take time to adapt for the players — and for the coaches to learn the players and the players to learn the coaches …” Nagy said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how much that improves next year when it’s so much easier walking into OTAs and training camp knowing what they didn’t know at this time last year.”

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7 possible candidates for DC position if Eagles part ways with Jim Schwartz

The Philadelphia Eagles have had a difficult season thus far but still, control their own destiny in the weak NFC East.

The format is simple for Philadelphia, win the next four straight — all divisional opponents — and host a Wild Card one month from now. Even with a playoff run, the Eagles will most certainly make changes to personnel and the coaching staff.

On Monday, ESPN NFL reporter Chris Mortensen was a guest on SportsCenter and had this to say about the Eagles.

“Barring a run in the playoffs, I would say there’s going to be some significant changes on the Philadelphia staff.”

Mortensen was simply making a hypothesis, as there’s been no indication from inside the organization that any changes are coming.

Philadelphia is now 5-7 after a loss to 3-9 Miami Dolphins, a game in which the Eagles gave up 37 points. Schwartz has coached well at times this season, while other times it seems as if this defense is missing something.
With changes to come, here are 7 possible candidates to be defensive coordinator if Jim Schwartz is replaced.

***

1. Kris Richard — Cowboys defensive passing game coordinator

Richard plays an integral part in the Dallas defense, but with Jason Garrett set to be fired, he could be ready for his own defense. Richard will likely get a head coaching interview, and if he’s not retained in Dallas, he would be the perfect coordinator to get the Eagles defense back on track.

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Bears getting creative with utilizing Khalil Mack

After Khalil Mack was shutout of the box score against the Rams, the Bears are employing creative ways to get Mack to the QB.

The unthinkable happened last Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams when Chicago Bears All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack was shutout of the box score.

That’s what happened when the Rams offense committed to the run — passing just 19 times — and decided to employ double and triple teams to contain Mack.

Not that the tactic is anything innovative. That’s what most teams do when game-planning against one of the best defensive players in the NFL. But Mack has struggled to produce in spite of those circumstances.

“We’re trying,” defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano said Thursday, via the Sun-Times. “We’ll continue to try to be creative and put him in spots and try to get him [loose] a little bit.”

While the box score never tells the whole story with Mack — given how teams defend him or when he’s dropped back into coverage — it was alarming not seeing Mack’s name in the stats. Especially since he had amassed 4.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles after the first four games.

Although the circumstances have certainly changed. The Bears have lost defensive tackle Akiem Hicks to injured reserve and the team itself has underperformed this season.

“We understand how they are attacking him and how they’re taking care of him, how they’re tending to him,” Pagano said. ‘‘They were going to come out and try to run the football and keep it third-and-manageable. A lot of third-and-one, third-and-two, third-and three, never really any opportunities other than four times to really rush the passer for anybody, not only him but for our defense.

“So just because he doesn’t show on [the stat sheet] doesn’t mean he’s not doing his job.”

Still, the Bears are figuring out how to get Mack back to where he belongs: In the quarterback’s face.

Bears determined to not let Giants RB Saquon Barkley beat them

The Bears defense isn’t about to let Giants RB Saquon Barkley return to form against them in Week 12.

The Chicago Bears are familiar with New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley. The dynamic weapon lit them up for 125 yards on the ground last season in the thick of Chicago’s playoff race, but it was his back-breaking runs on third down that were the most frustrating in the 30-27 overtime loss.

As the Bears prepare for a rematch against the Giants on Sunday, Chicago’s defense is determined to prevent a repeat performance by Barkley.

Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano praised Barkley’s speed, power, vision, patience, stiff-arm and stop-start acceleration — noting that containing him is going to be a tall order for this defense.

“If you don’t set an edge — no edge, no chance,” Pagano said, via the Chicago Tribune. “If he gets in the open field, he can take it the distance. He’s effective out of the backfield as a pass receiver as well, so he’s a three-down player.

“The only thing is pretty much the ankles on everyone are the same size, so you better get this guy wrapped up. We have to gang tackle, slide down and try and slide those ankles together. Usually if you do that, most guys will go down. Even this guy. He’s going to be a huge challenge for our defense.”

Barkley flashed during an impressive rookie season — where he averaged 4.7 yards per carry — but he hasn’t been as effective a runner this season, with 4.0 yards per carry, as he’s dealt with an ankle injury that sidelined him for three games.

Even without defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, the anchor of that run defense, the Bears’ defense is allowing just 3.6 yards per carry this season.

The goal for the Bears will be to contain Barkley and force rookie quarterback Daniel Jones to beat them.

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Loss of leader Danny Trevathan looms large for Bears

The loss of Danny Trevathan has a significant impact not only because of what he brought from a production standpoint but leadership.

Last week, Chicago Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan suffered a gruesome elbow injury in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions. It’s an injury that’s likely to force him to injured reserve for the remainder of the season — and hopefully not the end of his tenure in Chicago.

But the Bears lost more than just a great defensive player when Trevathan went down. They lost a leader.

“Just his presence, his poise, his leadership,” defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano said, via the Chicago Tribune. “He’s out in front of the huddle. He makes all the calls. He’s got the helmet communication. All that stuff, besides being the player that he is and the calming force that he is. You just don’t replace guys like that.”

The Bears should know. This isn’t the first time this season that Chicago will have to adjust to losing one of their best defensive players — and leaders — to injury.

Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks was lost to an elbow injury in Week 5 against the Oakland Raiders. He’s eligible to return from injured reserve in Week 15, but the effects of his absence — both from a physical and mental standpoint — have been felt drastically.

The Bears are hoping that’s not the case with Trevathan, who was relieved by veteran Nick Kwiatkoski, who filled in solidly.

“But again, it’s next man up,” Pagano said, “and 44 (Kwiatkoski) came in and did a great job again and capitalized on the opportunity.”

While Kwiatkoski stepped up with the best game of his career, it’s not enough to compensate for the loss of a leader like Trevathan on a defense that needs it.

Bears S Eddie Jackson is feeling the stress as he searches for first takeaway this season

Bears S Eddie Jackson was known for his ballhawking ability in 2018. But that hasn’t been the case in 2019, and he’s feeling the pressure.

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Last season, Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson was considered a turnover machine. At one point in 2018, Jackson had forced turnovers in three of the first four games.

Jackson capped an All-Pro season with six interceptions, two forced fumbles and amassed five touchdowns in his first two seasons.

But 2019 has been a different story for Jackson, who has failed to notch a single takeaway in nine games. Why is that?

“You know I really can’t even answer that,” Jackson said Tuesday, via NBC Sports Chicago. “We’ve just got to continue flying around and try to make plays on the ball.”

“That’s like a trick question – I really don’t know how to answer that. You’ve got to fly around. Guys got to make plays on the ball, strip the ball, or get in position to make plays and try to intercept it and things like that. Really don’t know.”

In fact, it’s approaching the one-year mark since Jackson last scored a touchdown. That came last Thanksgiving against the Detroit Lions, where Jackson intercepted Matthew Stafford at a critical moment in the fourth quarter that gave the Bears a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

But it’s now been 12 games since his last takeaway, and Jackson is feeling the pressure.

“This is the longest it’s ever been in my life , playing football, without an interception, without a touchdown – ever,” he said. “So it’s getting stressful. I’m just happy we won the last game, but just being that type of competitor, you want the ball. It’s going to come, that’s all I can tell myself.”

Over his first two seasons, Jackson has established a reputation for always being around the ball, something that hasn’t been true this season. While he’s not making excuses, including learning Chuck Pagano’s scheme, he also knows that he needs to put himself in better situations to make plays.

“I’m one of my biggest critics, so I just feel like I need to get in more positions to make plays, if that makes any sense,” he said. “Like I said, it’s a different system, there are different things, so you’ve just got to buy in and control what you can control. And that’s dominating my square and my man. Wherever I’m in, just got to dominate that.”

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