Offseason #1 - House-cleaning and possible new coaches

Getsy is out. Mike Martz is back for a second stint. First order of business? Trade Cole Kmet, because TE's are useless. (Might as well start our own rumors, right?!)

This is the whole issue here. Do we or don't we have a franchise QB and what is the best way to use the #1 pick which we will not see again for a long time. If we think we have a franchise QB, then picking another QB sets us back and takes from the pieces we need around him. If we don't think we do, then you have to use it on a QB. Will we get the right guy? Can we get the people this time to develop him and create game plans that work with his skill set? This uses our top pick which now can't be used for a guy like Harrison. But we have other picks. This also sets us back

The option that gets us somewhere the fastest is we have a franchise QB here in Fields and we get the other parts around him this year. The problem is that we don't know until we no longer have the #1 pick. My argument is that I have seen more from this kid than any other Bears QB (not saying a lot, I know). there are some things I think he needs and I am not sure he can get there. I think (hope?) he can but not sure. I honestly don't know what I would do. I really suspect (strongly) that the decision will not be made until they see what is on the table as a trade for the #1 pick. Once that comes into focus and we can see what we can do with the other picks (we will know what we have after whatever potential trade comes into view) then we will be able to better asses the pluses and minuses (risks and rewards) of the paths that are then known to us.

I can make a strong argument for keeping Fields. I can make a strong argument for using the #1 on a new QB. I won't be upset either way. If I see good decisions being made on coaches, I will be lots more comfortable in whatever QB decision is made. At this point, I think patience and observation (and maybe some whiskey) is in order. 

My argument for keeping him is that he is a freak athlete duel threat that can place the ball on a dime and can disrupt defenses. They have to plan around this guy. He is seeing the field better and running the offense better. When the guy has time, he is dangerous. He has worked on seeing the field better and getting the ball out faster and IMO has done both. He IS getting better. He also has a mental toughness and stability I rarely see. That can't be taught. We have tried like 20 times to get this kind of Qb and now we have him

My argument for not keeping him is that this is his third year. He should be throwing with more anticipation and should have better consistency. I do not see that killer instinct at the end of the game to try and put it all on his shoulders to win. He needs to get through his progression faster yet and his short passing game needs work.

So we keep coming back to the same question. Over and over again. How much upside does he still have? I see him still making good progress as of the end of the season. Has he hit his ceiling? I don't think so. Can he fix all the issues I see? I honestly don't know. And we won't know until probably another season, when we no longer have the option of the first pick. And that is why I have no idea which is the best choice. If we knew where he would be in a year, the choice would be simple

My arguments for keeping Fields have less to do with him being "the guy" and more to do with wanting to trade down and add more blue chip players on OFF for Fields OR the next QB.

This runs directly contrary to my "when you have a shot at a QB you take it" belief. Here are my two options right now, perfectly balanced in my mind:

1a. Take the QB Poles/Warren/HC/OC want to be the next man up in Chicago. If you can do this with a trade down, then trade down.
1a. Keep Fields, trade down to get another 2024 first round pick and draft the best OFF blue chip prospect you can find. Repeat with the second 2024 first round pick. One of these guys should be an OL. First pick in the second round should be an IOL as well. In my ideal world, the Bears walk away from the first three picks with WR1, OT2/3 and iOL-best available (better be a C.)

1b. I have this day dream of Poles trading with NE and getting their 24 first rounder and their 26th first rounder. If Fields isn't the guy, and they went that route, draft QB1 next year to do what everyone believes the rest of the league does--drop in a QB to a developed OFF.

I'm not being intellectually consistent here and I know it. But its where I am right now, today.