2023 Bears current state

   There will be no more meaningful Chicago Bears football until September, they finished their season off by losing to the Packers showing they are still not where they need to give Bears fans what was once promised by Lovie Smith when signed as the coach for this team in 2004, since he was released of his duties, it feels like they cant do it and it just makes thing feel worse.

   So how do the Bears look for next season? Ryan Poles has big decisions to make and it start by taking one tomorrow, monday january 8, by firing HC Matt Eberflus and OC Luke Getsy. Getsy is a simple decision, he just didn't make the offense work, simple as that. I honestly waited until this last game to decide if I wanted Eberflus back, this game showed me that he could be good enough to be the coach, but I dont want good enough at the helm of things, I want a coach that not only gets respect from his players and personnel, I want someone that shows in game that he has control of things. Against the Packers on this last game, I didn't see a defense that was missing Jaylon Johnson, I saw a defense that got steamed rolled by lack of pressure and run stuffing which was the thing this defense should have improved on, it wasn't even a bend don't break defense, they were gushed for big gains by air and ground. It's one thing that the defense showed some improvement at the end of the year but what about the offense? What happened to the run game? What happened to Darnell Mooney? who somehow disappeared from this team. Then there is the trickling blame to how much blame does Justin Fields has on all this? Lets see how the team looks like with the players still under contract.

QB - Justin Fields, Tyson Bagent

   Fields processes the field slower that average and struggles to throw passes in rhythm with accuracy and timing which makes him hold the ball for too long which makes him propense of getting sacked, his footwork needs work to get consistent base to help him be more accurate in his throws and get the ball out quicker with more spiral. Cool, everybody knows he has flaws and that this are it, so why is he still so dangerous? Strong arm that places the ball with accuracy in deep throws, hard to bring down and can get outside the pocket and throw on the move with good vision and accuracy, can keep the ball and run with it, he is fast to get downfield and get chunk yards in the ground. I don't know how far he is from Cam Newton, Colin Kaepernick or Josh Allen but he has the build and the same skill set and don't believe his is far from being as productive as these guys, I just believe he hasn't gotten placed in the correct situation to be as productive. Obviously I have no problem with the Bears sticking with him and continue to build around him.

   Bagent had his good chunk of live experience and did as well as any other backup the Bears have had the last few years where he can't come up with the win on the game he gets to go in due to the injury of the starting QB, then wins the next start then loses or just goes in decline the other next games he needs to play until the starter comes back. So, the Bears can draft someone with a higher pedigree than Bagent or bring a veteran, until the coaching and planning doesn't get better its going to be the same story.

RB - Khalil Hebert, Roshon Johnson, Travis Homer

   Again, I don't blame the players, I blame the scheme, the play calling and the lack of Oline depth and Center position. Herbert is a good rhythm running back with burst, Johnson started hot with some really angry running until he got concussed and then lighten the running a bit, the Bears would benefit of getting that bowling ball type of running from Johnson, not wishing him injuries though. Homer has been absent and really didn't bring much to this team. They would benefit of bringing some suddenes and speed to the backfield like when they had Tarik Cohen.

WR - D.J. Moore, Tyler Scott, Velus jones Jr.

   Poles his the jackpot with Moore who brought the best of Fields as a passer, but he hast been able to find his field stretcher in Velus and Scott. I don't see Poles resigning any receiver and will have to bring new players, a lot.

TE - Cole Kmet

   Kmet once more takes another step forward in his game, he was the most reliable ball catcher in the team, not as explosive as Moore though. I liked the Marcedes Lewis signing to try and help the run game but it wasn't enough, this will be another skill group Poles will need to bring more new players.

OL - Braxton Jones,Teven Jenkins, Cody Whitehair, Nate Davis, Darnell Wright, Larry Borom, Doug Kramer Jr., Ja'Tyre Carter

   The starting group was inconsistent due to lack of communication, but did have plenty of moments where they showed the ability of being a dominant unit, it need to get better at Center and have more players to compete and have depth at G and T. Cody Whitehair's and Larry Borom's time is up.

DL  - Montez Sweat, Andrew Billings, DeMarcus Walker, Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens, Dominique Robinson

   There is good talent in this unit, but it needs a bit more to really be sustainable and competitive against today's NFL teams, Poles got it right in bringing Sweat and the price paid was worth it.

LB - T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds, Jack Sanborn, Noah Sewell

   This unit will only get better with more time together and the DL getting more help.

CB - Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Johnson, Terrel Smith, Jaylon Jones, Christian Matthews

   I didn't mention resigning anyone because I don't feel anybody brings a strong need to the team, until you get to Jaylon Johnson, who would keep a secondary a very solid unit. It still needs some depth but if Smith can improve like Gordon did, then I wouldn't worry much.

S - Eddie Jackson, Jaquan Brisker, Elijah Hicks, Quindell Johnson

   As I feared, Jackson regressing was a matter of time, I don't trust Brisker to be as impactful if there isn't someone like Jackson that can be counted to cover the back half of the field as he did the years before this one. There will be a strong need to find someone that can replace the skillset Jackson brought in his prime.

ST - Cairo Santos, Trenton Gill

   Santos is worth every penny and more, Gill's punt net yard isnt anything to brag about, competition at the punter spot would be ideal next season. Patrick Scales should play in Chicago until he doesn't want to play anymore.

   I expect Poles to bring new leadership and hit Free agency with commitment to build the last pieces needed to build a competitive playoff team for next year.