Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2017 0:39:45 GMT -6
Tough to believe Bears are 'closer' with quarterback situation a riddle
Brad Biggs Contact Reporter Chicago Tribune
Here's the biggest problem with John Fox making the assertion the Bears are closer than people think to being competitive and relevant once again: He has no idea who will play quarterback in 2017.
Until the Bears figure that out, it's guesswork or blind hope to assess the team's trajectory. The Bears chose to stay the course with Jay Cutler when Fox and general manager Ryan Pace were hired just less than two years ago and they did so for a couple of reasons.
First, Cutler's contract was weighted down with guaranteed money in 2015 and 2016 from the extension he received in January 2014, which would have made a switch at least somewhat challenging considering the salary cap. Second, there was hope that yet another new coaching staff could take a crack at harnessing Cutler's physical gifts and find a way to win with him. Third, rolling with Cutler gave the Bears time to overhaul the roster at other positions.
That final reason might have been as big a factor as any in the process because Fox and Pace knew they inherited a flawed team that needed work across the aboard. Presumably, when Cutler left, a new quarterback would be walking into a better situation.
You can debate how improved the 3-12 Bears are heading into Sunday's season finale against the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Injuries have dealt a crushing blow to the team but even healthy this was still a mediocre team. If the Bears lose (they are 0-7 on the road), it will be the worst season for the organization since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978.
They Bears certainly have a different look. Of the 72 players currently on the 53-man roster and injured reserve, only 19 pre-date the arrival of the new regime. That kind of turnover is what happens when the GM, the coach and schemes are changed. The roster churn has been consistent but they're worse in the win-loss column than they were when they lost their final five games in the dysfunctional 5-11 mess that was the 2014 season.
"I think we're closer than people think," Fox said Sunday after the Redskins handed his team a 20-point loss with more than one-third of the seats at Soldier Field empty. "Sometimes when you come into a situation, you take some steps back before you step forward. In my opinion, (we're) in way better position to be in striking distance."
When season-ticket invoices are mailed in February, it's unlikely the Bears will have an idea who their quarterback will be in 2017. Pace likely will need a dry erase board in his office for quarterback scenarios alone. Go into a ninth season with Cutler? Bring back Brian Hoyer, Matt Barkley and/or Connor Shaw? Acquire a veteran via trade like Jimmy Garoppolo or A.J. McCarron? Sign a veteran like Kirk Cousins (unlikely to leave the Redskins) or Mike Glennon? Tony Romo likely will be available but he turns 37 in April, has durability questions and clearly isn't a long-term option. The Bills likely will part ways with Tyrod Taylor but if he's not the solution in Buffalo, what makes him the answer at Halas Hall?
Then, there's the prospect of the draft and what most consider an underwhelming crop of quarterbacks. The Bears appear to be backed into a corner when it comes to drafting a quarterback because they chose not to select one in the last two drafts. While it's certainly possible they could hit with some mid-round magic but that's a risky proposition with your future at stake.
Pace doesn't need to channel his inner Jerry Angelo and declare he's "fixated" on the quarterback position for us to know he is. Aaron Rodgers is on fire for the Packers again and Matthew Stafford clearly has established himself in the upper echelon of passers. The Vikings have the No. 2 defense in the NFL so a climb out of the cellar in the NFC North is going to be challenging.
Without a quarterback to build around, it's hard to think the Bears are close to changing the status quo or being in striking distance. Fox, as the only high-ranking club official who has spoken publicly since the season began, has to sell hope. That's part of his job. But he has to hope the Bears get the quarterback quandary sorted out to get folks to buy in.
bmbiggs@chicagotribune.com
Brad Biggs Contact Reporter Chicago Tribune
Here's the biggest problem with John Fox making the assertion the Bears are closer than people think to being competitive and relevant once again: He has no idea who will play quarterback in 2017.
Until the Bears figure that out, it's guesswork or blind hope to assess the team's trajectory. The Bears chose to stay the course with Jay Cutler when Fox and general manager Ryan Pace were hired just less than two years ago and they did so for a couple of reasons.
First, Cutler's contract was weighted down with guaranteed money in 2015 and 2016 from the extension he received in January 2014, which would have made a switch at least somewhat challenging considering the salary cap. Second, there was hope that yet another new coaching staff could take a crack at harnessing Cutler's physical gifts and find a way to win with him. Third, rolling with Cutler gave the Bears time to overhaul the roster at other positions.
That final reason might have been as big a factor as any in the process because Fox and Pace knew they inherited a flawed team that needed work across the aboard. Presumably, when Cutler left, a new quarterback would be walking into a better situation.
You can debate how improved the 3-12 Bears are heading into Sunday's season finale against the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Injuries have dealt a crushing blow to the team but even healthy this was still a mediocre team. If the Bears lose (they are 0-7 on the road), it will be the worst season for the organization since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978.
They Bears certainly have a different look. Of the 72 players currently on the 53-man roster and injured reserve, only 19 pre-date the arrival of the new regime. That kind of turnover is what happens when the GM, the coach and schemes are changed. The roster churn has been consistent but they're worse in the win-loss column than they were when they lost their final five games in the dysfunctional 5-11 mess that was the 2014 season.
"I think we're closer than people think," Fox said Sunday after the Redskins handed his team a 20-point loss with more than one-third of the seats at Soldier Field empty. "Sometimes when you come into a situation, you take some steps back before you step forward. In my opinion, (we're) in way better position to be in striking distance."
When season-ticket invoices are mailed in February, it's unlikely the Bears will have an idea who their quarterback will be in 2017. Pace likely will need a dry erase board in his office for quarterback scenarios alone. Go into a ninth season with Cutler? Bring back Brian Hoyer, Matt Barkley and/or Connor Shaw? Acquire a veteran via trade like Jimmy Garoppolo or A.J. McCarron? Sign a veteran like Kirk Cousins (unlikely to leave the Redskins) or Mike Glennon? Tony Romo likely will be available but he turns 37 in April, has durability questions and clearly isn't a long-term option. The Bills likely will part ways with Tyrod Taylor but if he's not the solution in Buffalo, what makes him the answer at Halas Hall?
Then, there's the prospect of the draft and what most consider an underwhelming crop of quarterbacks. The Bears appear to be backed into a corner when it comes to drafting a quarterback because they chose not to select one in the last two drafts. While it's certainly possible they could hit with some mid-round magic but that's a risky proposition with your future at stake.
Pace doesn't need to channel his inner Jerry Angelo and declare he's "fixated" on the quarterback position for us to know he is. Aaron Rodgers is on fire for the Packers again and Matthew Stafford clearly has established himself in the upper echelon of passers. The Vikings have the No. 2 defense in the NFL so a climb out of the cellar in the NFC North is going to be challenging.
Without a quarterback to build around, it's hard to think the Bears are close to changing the status quo or being in striking distance. Fox, as the only high-ranking club official who has spoken publicly since the season began, has to sell hope. That's part of his job. But he has to hope the Bears get the quarterback quandary sorted out to get folks to buy in.
bmbiggs@chicagotribune.com
