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Chicago Bears: 3 Off-Seasons That Could Turn Things Around

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan before a game against the Washington Redskins at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears have one of the more unpredictable off-seasons coming in the next month. Everything seems up in the air.

That includes the fate of the coaching staff as well as what they might have planned for the draft and free agency. Often the best way to offer answers to the fans is by projecting possible scenarios how things could go. At least in the context of the information on hand. Specifically the dire need for a quarterback and the perceived rift between coaches Vic Fangio and John Fox. Thus each scenario is centered around solving these problems.

#1:  Building the Incubator

Coaching staff:  Replace John Fox with Kyle Shanahan

Everybody knows that the Bears are getting ready for a renaissance at the quarterback position. The Jay Cutler era is over. If they plan to go young, then they will need somebody other than Fox to oversee the development process. Something he’s never been able to do in his career. Kyle Shanahan is a keen, experienced offensive mind who has now been groomed by four different coaches with Super Bowl rings. This is a job specially suited for him.

Free Agency:  Sign Eric Berry

The idea of hiring Shanahan would be in an effort to prevent defensive coordinator Vic Fangio from leaving. Clearly he has some sort of issue with Fox, thus bringing in somebody else might change his mind. Obviously the Bears don’t want to lose him. Assuming they pull it off, their top priority is to find him playmakers in the secondary. There is a strong possibility Eric Berry could be available in 2017 due to salary cap constrictions in Kansas City. His addition at safety would change the game.

The Draft:  Select Mitch Trubisky in 1st round

Some will say the Bears are reaching too much here just to get a quarterback. Many experts don’t believe there is a QB worth going in the top 10. Even so, Mitch Trubisky is likely the only one with the complete skill set to make a case for it. He’s got the size, arms, strength, accuracy and mobility package that teams look for. Yes he’s inexperienced but this is why the Bears hire Shanahan. It’s as good a match as they’re liable to find in 2017.

December 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi

#2:  Promotion

Coaching staff:  Fire John Fox and promote Vic Fangio

Another probable scenario that enable the Bears to retain Fangio is the simplest solution. Fire the man he has a problem with, Fox, and give the head coaching job to him. Fangio has waited patiently for his shot for a number of years. He’s been in the league since the late 1980s, has lots of proven success and the players love him. If he can work the same magic with the entire team as he has with the defense it could lead to big things.

Free Agency:  Sign Trumaine Johnson

By this point it’s clear the Bears defense is a secondary await from being one of the best units in the NFL. They still have a number of holes at both cornerback and safety. So they decide to attack the problem head on. Trumaine Johnson was prevented from reaching the market last year due to the franchise tag. However, odds are he won’t receive it a second time. At 6’2″ he a long corner with speed, athleticism and toughness. All traits Fangio wants in his DBs.

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The Draft:  Select Jabrill Peppers in 1st round

Having added a boundary corner in free agency, Chicago goes for the clean sweep by grabbing a safety in the draft. Not just any safety either. Perhaps the most freakish athlete at the position since Ed Reed. Jabrill Peppers has size, power, speed and is an absolute monster with the ball in his hands. He can run, tackle and hit with the best of them. If Fangio and his staff can help better hone his instincts in coverage, it’s game over.

Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) celebrates with fans as he leaves the field after defeating the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

#3:  Home Cooking

Coaching staff:  Replace John Fox with Josh McDaniels

This scenario starts much the same way as the first one. The Bears locate and hire an offensive coach who understands how to breed a quarterback. Josh McDaniels might be the most qualified of anybody in the league at least from a play calling standpoint. He also has prior head coaching experience, though it was largely a forgettable two seasons in Denver. He’s older and more mature now. Perhaps he learned some important lessons since then.

Free Agency:  Trade for Jimmy Garoppolo

The idea behind the McDaniels hire would be of course trying to keep Fangio but also creating a package situation to get that next quarterback. Much speculation has gone around about possibly trading for Jimmy Garoppolo. He is the current backup of Tom Brady in New England, a former 2nd round pick and Illinois native. He’s also familiar with the offensive scheme of McDaniels, who has been his coordinator since getting drafted. Reuniting the two makes plenty of sense, assuming the price to get him via trade isn’t too steep.

The Draft:  Select Jonathan Allen in 1st round

It’s hard to say whether the Garoppolo trade will cost the Bears their 1st round pick. There is a chance he can be hand for two 2nd rounders. Or Ryan Pace could choose to give up a future 1st rounder. The goal of course is to preserve what will likely be a top 5 pick for this team. With Garoppolo in place, the team decides to give the defense another stud for its front seven. Jonathan Allen is a beast coming out of Alabama. A versatile edge player who can rush the passer but has enough size to shift inside during certain downs. Pairing him with Leonard Floyd could be devastating long-term.

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