Chicago Bears

Would he be on this off-season’s top 100 as voted by the players?

It’s really bad. Like… people might need to be fired.

Justin:

Not a good game. Mostly the second half was the worst until the final drive. Very inconsistent. Made some amazing throws and missed some others. Started turning down routes later in the game. Took at least one unnecessary hit. Kept sinking back at the end of his drop in the second half. He flashed as usual but it’s not good enough rn. JT thinks he can be the guy but doesn’t know if it will ever happen with this situation he’s in. Might have to be with another staff or somewhere else. He likes him but he doesn’t see any anticipation at all. He’s unsure if it’s something with the coaches, Justin, or both. One thing for sure, we can’t have this. Need to be better or else you’re not gonna last in the league.

The first fumble was bad. He decided to just take off because he wasn’t trusting his protection. Didn’t give the RB a chance and the defender made a play. He missed Mooney that was coming open up top.

Second fumble was bad, but Kmet also missed the block.

On a positive note, it did seem like Fields’ footwork was decent and faster for a moment. His release was faster at times too.

Gameplan:

Bros, it’s bad. The first play was terrible from a personnel choice stand point. Why Kmet? We know he’s decent but he’s not a WR type.

Overall there were way too many screens. On a ton of plays there were either people not getting open, or routes were taking way too long to develop. Questionable and laughable play calling all day. It was pretty ridiculous. Also the whole offensive cast seemed to be getting pissed or not putting in effort on plays. Too many mistakes being made and missed blocks. The attention to detail was just not there. Getsy might actually need to walk the plank after this.

Also JT is questioning why they aren’t building the offense around the ability of Justin’s Fields running.

Oline:

I thought they played fine, but this was a terrible performance. Missed blocks in the running game were killing us. We could only run one type of play effectively. I thought we were good at run blocking but I was wrong. This problem has been apparent all season. And we are one of the highest rushing teams in the league!!!

Pass protection was a joke as well. Consistently inconsistent (the theme of Justin too). Lucas Patrick cannot be real. He was blowing blocks all night. Immediate pressure up the middle and ruining plays. Whether it was run or pass plays. We need a center immediately and better coaching or else whoever is QB next year is getting killed.

The rest of the line was having issues all night too. Free rushers being let in all night. Giving up pressure instantly. I kinda understand why there were a ton of screens now. We can’t pass block effectively consistently. Justin was back to running for his life yet again. He looked like he was seeing ghosts toward of the game.

So yeah. The offense is a joke right now. The film out there is showing a ton of problems with this cast. JT doesn’t think they’ll run it back with these coaches. And understandably so.

2024 #1 Draft Pick Candidates

With the #1 pick, the Bears should select Marvin Harrison Jr. along with 4th year NFL quarterback Justin Fields.

I know I'm a stan, but I just wanna see them play together.

Edit:typo

https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/chicago-bears-highest-passer-rating-in-a-career-by-a-qb

Hear me out. Trubisky suffered from bad coaching/playcalling. We never gave him the weapons or the coaching at the same time. What do you say we bring him back, build through the draft, and see what he can do with a great supporting staff??

What's that? Even at 12-4 it takes elite QB play to win in the playoffs? It's absurd to keep trying when there's a proven ceiling? I'll hear none of this.

Tru, JF1, Cade McNown forever!

https://x.com/chisportupdates/status/1730073836119310462?s=46&t=TXOSTXZjoSdzU_Kn-pEFSQ

I'd like your thoughts on how you would rank the below scenarios from best to worse, assume draft is with our highest pick:

1. Fields stays, coaching staff stays, draft other position
2. Fields stays, new coaching staff, draft other position
3. Draft new QB, coaching staff stays
4. Draft new QB, new coaching staff

Mine would be: 2,4,1,3

As we all know there are many holes to fill on this team, yet I’ve barely seen CB discussed. If we lose Jaylon, CB is an absolutely massive need. I know it’s still early, but so far you can’t feel good at all about Stevenson and Gordon. Almost every time Gordon is targeted, it’s an easy completion regardless of who the receiver is. There’s a chance we have major upgrades on the DL this offseason, only for the secondary to take a huge step back. I am WORRIED

so ahead of the week kicking off tomorrow with TNF, who do we need to win or lose this week?

And with 5 games to go.. where does he end up?

We can make predictions all we want, but we really have no idea what’s going to happen. For now, bring your popcorn and just watch the damn show 🍿🐻⬇️

I was curious, so I just pulled up a list of NFL QBs and I wrote down how many I think are better than Fields. I've got 15 names on the list. It's possible you could argue 1 or 2 more guys could be better than him, but I wouldn't go much beyond that. Fine, let's say he's the 17th best QB in the league. Then give him the benefit of the doubt with the questionable coaches and some of the surrounding pieces. How far does he move up the list if those are improved? 12th? Not sure it's even that high and can you win the Super Bowl with the 12th best QB? Probably not. I'm basing this off what we've seen thus far. I'd like to believe he's got it in him to be top 8 or 10 but I can't make that case right now.

I love the guy and wear his shirt around town like a goof. I'm not saying I'm giving up on him, but I recognize the concerns and they're legit. I still want to see what he can do these last few games and am still holding out hope, but I'm not feeling wonderful about it. Again, that doesn't necessarily mean give up on him immediately, but they maybe need to seriously explore other options. We'll see.

Worst case scenario for me is he gets hurt and misses games down the stretch. I need him out there as much as possible to see what he does.

Now to start, I still believe that it’s only right to give Fields the rest of the season to prove he’s the leader of this team. That’s only fair considering Getsy seems to be a Packers sleeper agent.

While I’m extremely high on MHJ (I’m one of those guys who wouldn’t be upset if they took him with the Carolina pick) it only makes sense that a QB gets taken first. Personally I’m indifferent to which QB is taken (whether it be Maye or Williams) because they all are sure to require development to play at the NFL level.

With our pick though, given our first pick is spent on a QB, and MHJ gets drafted by the Cardinals/Giants, I’d really like to see the bears draft Rome Odunze. I think he’s a big reason Penix is having the success he’s having with Washington.

I can see the bears drafting an OT, though I don’t think Braxton Jones has played all that bad the past few weeks so I think Interior OL is the bigger need and is something we could trade up for in round 2.

It’s still way too far away to predict hour our standing in the draft will play out, but I think there’s a lot of great offensive talent in this draft across the board so it’s hard to see any pick being a straight “miss.”

Since 95% of this sub's posts are opinion pieces on one of these four topics, why not have one bucket to put them all in rather than having 20 posts per day on the same subjects.

I'm sure this will get taken down because subreddits value volume of posts over quality of posts, but it sure would be nice to consolidate these same four topics into one place.

• Ryan Poles has to yet to select a QB.

• Ryan Poles has a great opportunity to select one this year with a (great) prospect in Caleb Williams.

• The current QB is heading into year 4, this is so crucial yet many just look over it. One of the most effective roster management strategies is a cheap QB. The window for success nearly relies on year 4. Year 5 Fields will be a cap hit of approximately 23m. Not to mention this decision also has to be made this offseason.

• There’s too much risk for Poles to rely on Fields making a once in a blue moon development. If Fields doesn’t (magically) become pretty damn good in 2024-25, Poles career will be over and he would have never selected a QB. In the scenario where we (somehow) pick up the 5th year on Fields and let’s make a fair assumption that Fields isn’t great for the next 2 years, Poles is done. You simply can’t be underwhelming (to say the least) from 2022-2025 and expect to retain your job and also select a QB.

• Lastly the QBs in 2025 are foreseeably awful, with Drew Allar being the top prospect.

TL;DR as to why we’re selecting a QB

• restart QB clock, this is essential to building a successful (short & long term) window - better chance of winning.

• Poles buys more time as a GM.

• Poles career is now relied on his selection, he’s not going to risk his life’s work and career on the shoulders of Justin Fields.

• You have a better chance of having a “good” QB.

• In the strong likelihood that Fields isn’t pretty good in 2024, your options in 2025 are limited - to say the least.

Here comes the cold hard truth

Fields isn’t good. He’s below average. Can’t go through progressions, can’t throw, can’t read a defense, can’t protect the ball, lacks consistency, etc.

We’re talking about a 3rd year QB who for a career gets sacked 3.5x a game, with 75%+ of them being after 4+ seconds, averages a turnover a game, has more turnovers than touchdowns, has a 61% completion, and averages 162yd/game. He’s had only 1 game (in 3yrs) where he’s thrown for 300+ yards. In 2022, Fields only eclipsed 200+ yards TWICE, (208 for one of the games). These are just awful numbers. Nearly ever rookie QB has gotten 200+ twice including our very own Bagent. We are talking about a guy who has gone into the half with under 50 passing yards 11 times.

With teams licking their lips for an opportunity to draft a prospect in the likes of Caleb Williams (or even Maye), we have a good portion, if not a majority of our fanbase wanting to not even select a QB. It’s just illogical.

Ryan Poles will 100% be selecting a QB. Stop coping, we all wanted Fields to be great or at the least good, but accept the reality that he simply isn’t good enough.

Saw the video of Kevin Warren and Ryan Poles in rooms after the game celebrating the win, and was wondering how often does a team president travel for away games? Felt a bit unusual that he was there.

I have a theory that he was there so if the Bears had lost Monday night, Warren and Poles were going to hold a press conference and announce Eberflus was being fired.

That would give them the bye week to sort out coaching replacements and given we would have been 0-10 against Division opponents thats all the reason they could use.

What do you guys think?

Historically, QBs drafted #1 overall very rarely bring Super Bowl success to the teams that drafted them, or in the case of Elway and Eli, their original teams. Below is the list of every QB drafted #1 overall in the Super Bowl era and if they either win a Super Bowl for their original team or at least played in the Super Bowl for their original team. (So no Stafford with the Rams) Won Super Bowl(s)- 5: Bradshaw, Elway, Aikman, Manning, Manning Won Conference Championship-4: Bledsoe, Newton, Goff, Burrow No Super Bowl Appearance- 15: Plunkett, Bartkowski, Testaverde, George, Couch, Vick, Carr, Palmer, Smith, Russell, Stafford, Bradford, Luck, Winston, Mayfield. TBD-3: Murray, Lawrence, Young

So out of the 27 QBs drafted #1 overall, more than half never even made a Super Bowl for the team that drafted them.

TL:DR: Drafting a QB #1 rarely means any success.

Ohio St 1st rounder Fields: @ Cleveland- 30% completion, 80 total yards, 0 TDs-0 INT 41.3 QBR, LOSS

Vs Detroit- 64.7% completion, 218 total yards, 0 TDs-1 INT, 82.7 QBR, WIN

@ Las Vegas- 60% completion, 115 total yards, 1 TD-0 INT, QBR 91.9, WIN

Vs Green Bay- 59.3% completion, 217 total yards, 1 TD-1 INT, QBR 75.2, LOSS

Fields Averages: 65.5% completion, 141 passing yards, 18 rushing yards, 1 TD-2 INT ratio/total, 73 QBR, 2-2 record

Undrafted D2 Bagent: Vs Las Vegas- 72.4% completion, 186 total yards, 1 TD-0 INT, 97.2 QBR, WIN

@ Los Angeles- 67.6 completion, 231 total yards, 0 TD-2 INTs, 62 QBR, LOSS

@ New Orleans- 60% completion, 290 total yards, 2TDs-3 INTs, 65.3 QBR, LOSS

Vs Carolina- 60.6% completion, 174 total yards, 0 TD-0 INT, 73 QBR, WIN

Bagent averages: 65.1% completion, 194 passing yards, 26.2 rushing yards, 3 TDs-6 INTs/1-2 ratio, 74.3 QBR, 2-2 record

Let’s also keep in mind Fields had a better defense and a better coaching staff around him for his first starts.

On the other hand Bagent had an easier opposing QB match up in the raiders and played the now 1-10 piss poor panthers.

Moral of the story, if you’re labeling Bagent a backup 4 games into his career keep that same energy for Fields please. Not saying Bagents the guy but too many of you are counting him out despite having a better outting than Fields did with his first starts.

Here's how each offensive drive post-turnover ended

Own 43 - Punt

Own 37 - Tyler Scott fumble

Opponent 40 - Touchdown

Opponent 43 - Field Goal

Own 48 - Punt

Own 35 - Punt

Own 31 - Field Goal

Opponent 38 - Justin Fields Fumble

​

That is unbelievably, historically bad. Fields and Getsy might be a worse combo than Trubisky and Nagy on their worst day.

When Poles came in, the defense was aging and Roquan wanted out. The offensive line was a mess, and there wasn’t much to work with aside Mooney and Fields.

Here are some of his picks from 2022 that filled needs: Kyler Gordon, Brisker (both 2nd rounders), Braxton Jones (5th rounder), and Elijah Hicks (7th rounder)

None of these guys are stars, but they’re really good players considering where we got them. Im really happy with the Braxton Jones pick he plays solid when he’s in.

As for 2023: Darnell Wright (first rounder), Gervon Dexter (2nd rounder), Tyrique Stevenson (2nd rounder), Roschon (4th rounder), Terell Smith (5th rounder).

This is only to name a few. Wright has been great so far. Dexter had an amazing game on Monday and is benefiting from the Sweat trade. Stevenson broke out the Detroit game with a pick and a good special teams play. Roschon while not perfect showed capability as a blocker on Monday. Terell Smith did good for a 5th round corner on Monday.

Poles def has the team going in the right direction. He turned it around quicker than I expected the team to get turned around. He has made mistakes but so far both of his drafts look really good. If even argue both of his drafts are better than any draft Ryan Pace had in his 6 years.

Let me know your thoughts!

Hey all. I've been doing some in-depth research and I'm here to present you with information as to why I'm not willing to give up on JF1.

Observations:

• Struggles to get through first and/or second read(s)
• Holds the ball too long and/or takes too many sacks
• Struggles to read the field
• Struggles with decision making
• Struggles with footwork
• Struggles with arm angle
• Struggles to trust himself
• Playing style conducive to injury

Now, if you're more of a stats person, I'll lay out some concrete numbers supporting my unwillingness to give up on JF1

2023 Stats/Data:

• Passing Yards - 1,587 (28th)
• Passing Yards per Game - 198.4 (24th)
• Touchdowns - 12 (21st)
• First Downs - 77 (28th)
• Passing Success Rate - 40.6% (26th)
• QBR - 44.5 (23rd)
• Net Yards Gained Per Attempt - 5.61 (24th)
• Expected Points Added Per Drop back - -0.08 (26th)
• Expected Points Added Total - -21 (25th)
• Sacks - 29 (6th)
• Sack % - 11.6 (2nd)

Summary:

I know this sub goes back and forth on what we should do with the 2024 draft. But hopefully after laying out some observations and data, this sub can better understand why I'm unwilling to give up on the QB who has statistically been one of the worst QBs of the last 3 years who has shown very little when it comes to improving.

I know we always talk about offense, but I have absolutely loved what I am seeing from the defense since the Sweat arrival. This secondary specifically has an opportunity to be elite with maybe a change at FS (sorry Eddie). Same with this defensive line as well as it seems like we are missing one good edge player as Sweat, Dexter, and Billings have played great. What players via draft or free agency would make this upcoming defense really good or elite?