Let’s begin with a sure former offensive coordinator calling this Bears offense the worst he is seen because the 0-16 Lions in 2008. In fact, I am speaking about Mike Martz, who, throughout his tenure with Chicago, infamously determined FUTURE HALL OF FAMER Greg Olsen wasn’t adequate for him, so you will forgive me if I do not actually give a [naughty word] about his opinion. The one factor I might be much less considering are parking strategies from Cade McNown. This can be a dated, obscure reference, I do know. However the actual ones get it, and that is who I am talking to proper now.
Nearer to house, the Bears landed at No. 32 on Dan Hanzus’ Week 1 Energy Rankings, and Adam Schein pegged them because the staff that can be selecting first total within the 2023 NFL Draft. All due respect to my NFL.com colleagues, however I need to remind them that we exist in a world the place the Falcons, Jets and Seahawks are additionally soccer groups. Whereas one can argue Atlanta, New York and Seattle have extra expertise at sure spots than Chicago, while you have a look at the quarterback place, I would take Justin Fields over any of the choices on these squads.
Which brings me to the generally expressed criticism that the Bears did not do sufficient to assist help Fields heading into the 2021 No. 11 total choose’s second professional season. I get it. They let Allen Robinson stroll. They did not ink any marquee free brokers. They used their first two draft picks on defensive gamers. Even so, it actually feels to me like new GM Ryan Poles did an excellent job making good additions to this roster that counsel he is attempting to put in each a reliable organizational construction (they lastly have an assistant GM, Ian Cunningham) and strategy.
Positive, the Bears may have tried to throw $90 million at a receiver like Christian Kirk. However that might have doubtless hampered their capability to spend on free brokers sooner or later — it is not a prudent method of doing enterprise. As an alternative, they will maximize what they’ve: a roster that features undervalued working again David Montgomery (one in all six gamers to prime 800 speeding yards in every of the previous three seasons) and tight finish Cole Kmet, who’s destined to interrupt out this yr. (Kmet may not turn out to be the following George Kittle, however he would not must.) Vets like Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown (and, finally, N’Keal Harry) may not transfer the needle a lot by way of star energy, however between these additions, rookie Velus Jones Jr. (as quickly as he is wholesome) and the ascendant Darnell Mooney, the Bears’ receiver room is, prime to backside, higher than the Falcons’ — and, sure, even higher than the Packers’ ( that is true).
Then we come to new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, a product of the Mike Shanahan teaching tree, through Matt LaFleur, Getsy’s boss with the Packers the final three seasons. Getsy has put in a system that — maintain onto your butts — was designed to truly concentrate on Justin Fields’ strengths. I can not think about we’ll see plenty of 4 verts on the 5-yard line. No 5-yard hooks on third-and-long. And get this: In contrast to final yr, they even allowed Justin to follow with the 1s this offseason. Fields put up encouraging numbers in preseason motion. However do not simply take my phrase for it: NFL.com colleague Bucky Brooks can also be excessive on the QB.
