For the second time in three seasons, the Chicago Bears were fortunate to enter the playoffs again. As the lowest seed in the NFC, they were ready to face the New Orleans Saints as a substantial underdog, and expectations were understandably low. But the game was played, and they somehow found a way to not only live up to the low expectations, but they were not able to find the end zone until the final play of the game, and lose 21-9.
The offense was able to show a national audience (the most-watched Wild Card game of the weekend, for the matter) just how bland, underwhelming, and dysfunctional the unit is. It was a traditional Chicago Bears performance where the offense wasted a solid defensive effort by not backing them up whatsoever.
After looking like the defense was heading for a downfall in recent weeks, they considerably redeemed themselves by stepping up and making life hard for Quarterback Drew Brees and the full-strength Saints offense. They made vital stops, forced pressure, and were finally able to create a turnover again. But none of that mattered as the offense was downright pathetic yet again and kept the defense exhausted on the field all game long.
Javon Wims Dropping A (Shocker) Perfectly Thrown Touchdown Pass By Mitch Trubisky Last Week
(Credit: Larry Brown Sports)
Despite earning a playoff berth, the 2020 Chicago Bears' story was filled with vast disappointment and frustration after starting 5-1 and finishing 8-8. Fans, including myself, were angry with the team's shortcomings and hoped for changes to be made. Whether it was with Ryan Pace and the front office, Matt Nagy and the coaching staff, or even with Team President/CEO Ted Phillips and the team's upper management, there is something not working with this team, and we were hopeful for some form of significant change.
Well, after waiting a long 48 hours, we finally received the news, and the fanbase was livid. We found out that Defensive Coordinator Chuck Pagano will retire, while Nagy, Pace, and Phillips are safe for another year. They also had a press conference early Wednesday and made matters far worse. I speak for all the fanbase by saying I am disgusted with the news and am afraid of the team's future. Within this article, I will elaborate on my current frustration in keeping those gentleman and explain why I am afraid of the franchise's future.
If you haven't already, please feel free to check out my introduction article, I had a blast putting it together. You will get to know more about me, my background, and my plans for this website here:
Who Needs Wins Anyway?
"When you look at a successful organization, besides wins and losses, it is the people that you have."
"I was especially impressed with them (Ryan and Matt) during the team's six-game losing streak."
"We have not won a playoff game in Ryan and Matt's tenure, and that is not good enough, but…"
These quotes above me are just a few of Chairman George McCaskey and President Ted Phillips from their press conference earlier. In Nagy and Pace's three years together, they have gone 12-4, 8-8, and 8-8 again. Those records are not exactly bad and certainly could be a lot worse, but those do not paint the genuine picture from the team recently. After having that magical 12-4 season, expectations were huge for the Bears, which comfortably included Super Bowl aspirations. However, after that, they have consisted of two underwhelming 8-8 seasons that specifically included god-awful offensive performance. It was a horrendous two years, given the team's expectations each season.
If you look broadly, Ryan Pace has a record of 42-56 throughout his six years as Bears General Manager. Since 2015, Pace is also one of the only two high-power executives in the league without a playoff win. After six years, you would imagine that management would look at that and say that is not acceptable, right? Nope, instead of judging by that, McCaskey and Phillips praised the character and makeup of Pace. The case of judgment from upper management was said for Nagy, as well. They remained prideful and "impressed" with how those two could keep the team together and prevent anyone from pointing fingers at anyone during the six-game losing streak. I wish I were making up that statement by McCaskey; I really do.
Ryan Pace Staring Out Through A Door Of The Halas Hall Press Conference Room
(Credit: Bleacher Nation)
Nagy and Pace may seem like great guys, and I do give them credit for not having the locker room completely torn up during the losing streak, but really?! Are you going to ignore the shortcomings that both have made up to this point? At what point are you turned off by the lack of progress either one has made? Does a brutal losing streak, aka the team's longest had in 18 years, not say anything? Especially after a 5-1 start?
Not only are our shortcomings a recent trend, but the Bears have been through these shortcomings for decades. In fact, the Bears have only had nine winning seasons in the past 29 years. But no, who needs to care about wins in the first place, right?
Another Year, Another Turn at QB
In terms of starting Quarterbacks, Ryan Pace has brought in Mike Glennon, Mitch Trubisky, and Nick Foles. How many of those have worked out? None.
Glennon was a joke of a signing from the start and only lasted through the first four games of the 2017 season. Trubisky, of course, had a promising sophomore season in 2018 but brutally failed to live up to the expectations/potential of becoming our franchise Quarterback. Foles was brought in (via trade) to compete with Trubisky, and he eventually came in after Trubisky got benched in Week 3. But, Foles and the entire offense went into flames as the team embarked on a substantial losing streak.
What has not been mentioned was the investment that went into each player, too. Glennon garnered a $15 million cap hit, while Foles currently garners a $21 million cap hit and is way too expensive to release. It took three draft picks to move up one spot to select Trubisky with the number two overall selection. My point? Pace has invested heavily in these three players in hopes of having them become productive at the game's most crucial position. The fact that not a single one of them has returned on their investments is quite alarming.
You think that would reflect on how poorly Pace judges and searches for those at the position, correct? He has failed on multiple occasions, and one would assume that three strikes and you are out. Well, what Ryan Pace has suddenly been given is an extra strike, an extra chance to potentially get himself another Quarterback.
Now, if they do draft a Quarterback, Pace and Nagy will draft one together this time. As everyone in the press conference said grandly (16 times in 90 minutes, to be exact), they are eager to finally collaborate together. We know for sure that Nick Foles is not going anywhere thanks to his hefty price tag, and Trubisky seems to be all but gone at this point, as his contract will expire. Pace and Nagy will prioritize the QB position this season, as the whole team understands that they need more from that spot.
Mitch Trubisky & Nick Foles Together On The Sidelines During A Week 2 Matchup Against
The New York Giants (Credit: Sportscasting)
The Bears will look for a new signal-caller, but the question is who on earth could it be? The Bears have minimal financial resources to acquire one, and they hold the 20th overall pick in the draft, which is not exactly a spot where you could get an immediate impact starter at Quarterback. There are also enticing veteran players who could potentially be traded, such as Atlanta Falcons Matt Ryan, Detroit Lions Matthew Stafford, and Houston Texans mega-star Deshaun Watson. But they are all unrealistic for us to acquire in their own rights, as the Bears would be wise to take advantage of regaining the use of a first-round draft pick again.
No matter who it may be, my confidence in Nagy making it work is undoubtedly low. When he came to Chicago, he was an Andy Reid prodigy and regarded as an offensive guru. He made progress in his first year in 2018 but failed to make progress the following season. Not only was this regression in offensive performance surprising and disappointing, but it had to be the most broken, lifeless offensive display we will ever see. So you would imagine that 2020 would be an improvement; there is no way things could be worse, right? Well, without ranting too much, Nagy found a way to somehow make things worse. The fact that he is allowed to come back and try to improve again is beyond baffling.
So, who truly knows what will be up the Bears sleeve in acquiring a new Quarterback. But there is little-to-no faith in Pace properly finding a new Quarterback and Nagy successfully coaching one.
Beyond Scared Of The Future
I try my very best not to be a typical Bears fan. Like with any passionate, big-market fanbase, a healthy amount of fans have a tremendous tendency to overreact and get ahead of themselves. Although I am not perfect with it, I pride myself on being as realistic as possible and try not to get immediately caught in the hype (whether positive or negative). With news of this stature, the reaction amongst fans has been overwhelmingly filled with rage. Without any context, you would think that fans have gone too far.
For once, though, I am fully on-board and in agreement with my fellow fans.
We already know how the Bears failed to live up to expectations and have come short as a franchise. But, Pace and Nagy will stay for another year, while there have been no changes to upper management, too. So now what? They head into the offseason with (before any cuts) about $-90,000 in cap space, the second oldest roster in the league (despite Ted Phillips claiming the team has a "young foundation" to build upon), and a gigantic question mark at Quarterback. Have I even mentioned that we are likely going to shamefully lose Wide Receiver Allen Robinson, our top offensive weapon?
I saw someone make an excellent point on Twitter: With the loss of revenue and effects that Covid had on the team (and will continue to have), McCaskey desperately needs something to sell something to fans. So I still believe that they will try to win and try to contend. While it may seem delightful that they will try to compete again, there are substantial problems and risks that come with it. The Bears' outlook is unpromising when you consider cap, aging vets, lack of depth at many spots, and the miserable Quarterback situation. Also, who has any confidence in Pace and Nagy in having a meaningful team turnaround? Let alone find a quality Quarterback?
Both are fortunate to have been given another chance in Chicago. Still, the clock is ticking on this roster, and I simply do not believe there is enough time and resources to make this team legitimately competitive without jeopardizing the franchise's future. They have the talent to be still pretty good, but "pretty good" is not worth trying anymore.
As aware as George McCaskey is about fans being angry with them (as he admitted so himself), he is ignoring them. He can say all he wants about how much he cares about the fans, but the team's recent decisions make me think otherwise. They are clearly prioritizing "culture" over wins and losses. Ted Phillips said proudly that other teams strive to have the type of culture the Bears have." Sure, it is nice not to have anyone finger-point at each other; we are not even close to the utter dumpster fire that the team was at in 2014. However, that should not counter the fact that the team has not won enough games and fails to live up to expectations in an ugly fashion. It may not be a toxic culture, but it is by no means a winning culture, and it has not been for a long-time.
Me Figuring Out Why I Was Cursed At Birth With Becoming A Fan Of This Team
I am scared, folks; I am afraid of not only seeing the team stand pat and make no significant changes, but I am afraid of them coming short in fixing the roster and likely mortgaging our future in the process. I (like many others) wish McCaskey would be in touch with reality and swallow the tough pill of a rebuild now before it gets worse, but that will not be the case this time around. Instead, they have accepted mediocrity and decided to keep those who have helped contribute to another run at mediocrity.
As Silvy, the ever-so-great host of the ESPN radio show, "Waddle and Silvy," put it perfectly on Twitter, "I want to love my favorite football team, but they refuse to love me back." Nothing could be further from the truth, I will love this team till the day I die, but man, is it difficult to do so.
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Thank You and Bear Down!