4 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

I have been defending DJ but it is clear there is a lack of effort on that play, I am not making excuses. I never judge a player by a few plays a year. Every player can have criticism at someone. The last two games our most dependable WRs Loveland and Burden had drops. Rome dropped a TD pass. I look at the overall season.

For everyone that has played before, could it be fatigue? He was limping on the sidelines at the end of the game . Could it be a hamstring tighting up? 

He is a team player and had been the top target getter up till this year and never once complained about it. Had he not made that one hand catch earlier, this wouldn't be a conversation. His two catches in the last two Packer games that helped win those games for us. 

Have your own opinions but I'm not beating him up over a few plays a year even he leaves next year.

This is where I am. It really sucks but this guy played through a ton of injuries and made some good plays. I think he wishes he had a do over but I also appreciate that Caleb didn’t throw him over the bus and as fans I think we have to look at the whole population of work vs the unfortunate sample. I also think this can be a good opportunity for DJ to grow from this as it really looked like the chemistry was finally starting to form. 

54 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

His concussion injury was nearly as serious as they come.  It took an immense amount of courage for him to get back on the field.  It has impacted how he plays the game.  I think even the rest of the league will look at him as a one year FA.  
 

however it shakes out this defense needs one more really good downhill player among the back 7.  Kyle Gordon can be that guy on one side.  Can add an impact LB or S will help to generate more negative plays.   

If Jaquan is willing to go short I could see both being back but right now I’m guessing just Byard. 

6 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

I am seeing FB ads/posts saying he is the OC for the Chiefs. Officially, I cant believe it bc its FB. 

Wish he stuck it out here, but he has to take the promotion even if Reid calls the plays. Good luck EB, you made a difference with our backs. 

Seems like it. Seems like Nagy might be looking for an OC job since Titans just went with Saleh. 

1 hour ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

Nagy was a strong contender for the Titans job but apparently they’re suddenly smitten with Robert Saleh.  Doubtful Nagy won’t come out without getting some new gig.  
 

Bienemy tried to make a name for himself by going to the Commanders and after things didn’t work out there went to UCLA where he was their OC for a year.  After flaming out there he came back to the NFL as a RB coach for the beloved.  

Evidently some rumors that Bears might look at Scotty Montgomery from Lions to take over. Was Ben Johnson’s running backs coach and might be out with them getting a new OC. This past year was the WR coach for Lions. 

6 minutes ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

Watching the pass rushers on Miami tonight makes me think one of them (Bain or Messidor) maybe should end up a Bear? 

Bain is a stud but I think he’s supposed to be like a top 10 pick. 

1 hour ago, Stinger226 said:

Isn't Nagy their OC? As much as I think he has did well with this group, that isn't a position that should be hard to fill.

Nagy is likely getting a HC gig. He also is a free agent (similar to Flores). 

13 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

I think with the change the continuity of the OL was disrupted and did affect the running game. I think Kiran may enter the LT competition if he can stay healthy. The key will be if Ozzy can get back to health quickly.

Kiran is going to get cut. They tried everyone and their brother at tackle and didn’t even bring him in at guard. He’s a failed pick. 

18 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

I think Poles does similar moves like he did last year to get extra picks in the top 100. Edwards, Amen, Sewell, resign D Jackson and Hyppolite so LB won't be a top priority. DT to me is the biggest need. 

Our LB play was pretty bad. Sewell stinks, hyppolite couldn’t even get special teams snap and Jackson is a good special team / depth player. Edward’s might be cooked - he is already getting older and that injury probably costs him half a step. 
 

I think DT and De are huge needs 

3 minutes ago, adam said:

Ultimately if they can bring back Byard, the only starting positions they would have to fill besides SS would be any holes they make, like cutting Edmunds. That is a pretty good spot because you are looking to just upgrade at that point. A lot of teams are losing as much as they are gaining.

10 teams will have new coaches, 10 teams had 6 wins or less. Thats a 1/3 of the league, another 1/3 is trapped in the middle between 7-9 wins, then you have the 1/3. The Bears are primed for a top 1/3 run for the next decade.

SEA, NE, CHI, JAX, DEN, and LAC seem to be that group. They all have QBs under 30, all made the playoffs, all will have relatively the same coaching staff in 2026, with no major cap issues. 

 

I feel like a good DT, safety and LB should all be in range of picks they are making in first 2 rounds. Maybe move down to get 3 in first 2 rounds. 

So decent shot we lose our rb coach with Bienemy rejoining Reid and Mahomes. 

7 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

He’s not very good against speed.   Verse is a pure power rusher so that’s why they made that move. 

Thuney was excellent against pass rush (only one bad play) but the run game was hampered having him out there…doesn’t have the speed to run the zone concepts out there. That is where Theo and Trapillo made a difference. 

5 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

He’s not very good against speed.   Verse is a pure power rusher so that’s why they made that move. 

Yeah I think it was purely they didn’t think they could afford that in this game and made the move. Hopefully Trapillo ends up developing and recovering and another offseason helps Theo…but is also seems like we could see them look for a vet stop gap or another option. 

My guess is DT or LB end up going here. Could even see a slight move down and target one of those spots or a safety. But don’t force your hand - play best talent that falls. I doubt it will be a DE.

Fun season and a nice foundation - could have won which is tough for how it ended but this was a fun year and I’m excited and confident for the future. 
 

I don’t think anyone is satisfied and I expect a lot of hard work this offseason getting better. Caleb and offense is just scratching the surface and Caleb in particular has made major growth but still has a ton of opportunities for growth (which is so exciting). 
 

Defensively I believe in the staff and they will get some key players back but I expect a lot of new faces - let’s see what staff and front office can do. 

Let’s go 🐻 

2 hours ago, Bears4Ever_34 said:

He really is starting to break conventional wisdom. The way he plays it's become a trade off of efficiency for explosiveness, and it's working. To analogize it to the NBA, it's sort of akin to how modern day offenses would rather you take a higher volume of 3's and shoot it at a 35% clip than taking more 2's and making 45% of them. 

Caleb can get away with having a lower completion % because he's hitting the bigger plays downfield, and he makes throws nobody else can make outside of Patrick Mahomes. When you combine that with how well he takes care of the football, this is the result you get. That's why he was the consensus #1 pick for 2 years in a row at USC.

This is really well said and interesting to see...it also is going to be interesting to see how NFL adjusts to him but also how he continues to adjust. I go back to - he's the type of guy who has all of the ability to win games...which is a very unique skill. Doesn't mean he is perfect, cause he still is far from it and has a lot of room to grow...but that is what makes it so exciting.  

2 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

And that was with 50% completion. Imagine how this is all going to look when they get more consistent. We are already special, and were not even that "good" yet.

There were a few real nice check down throws he made. When he and Bears figure it all out…look out. I’m kind of excited what this unique will look like when they have a full offseason and we get Rome back to 100 percent. I think we forget how good he is and will be. 

1 minute ago, BearFan PHX said:

I think thats for players? These are comp picks for losing a minority front office guy elevated to GM.

My bad I thought for some reason he was taking about Braxton Jones playing well in playoffs and getting us a comp pick. 
 

You are right and it seems like no one knows for sure. 

Also it seems like there is some uncertainty if Cunningham gets this job whether it would be eligible. Rapaport reported Ryan will have final say which makes this gig more akin to an asst gm role. No Rooney rule and Bears evidently could block him from interviewing. 
 

As much as I want Ian to get the gig - If Bears can block they should. Now if it is a true GM role and we get the picks…than best of luck to you Ian…otherwise you are here until you get that true GM gig (and I hope you get it)

3 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

Does anyone know if Atlanta hires Ian as GM that because they hired Ryan as president, we wouldn't get our two comp picks. That sounds like a stupid take on the situation 

It depends on the size of the contract he gets. Than it also depends on how many we sign vs lose at a certain size (and signed by a certain time).

I legit can’t sleep - that was insane. 

4 minutes ago, Bears4Ever_34 said:

That's a potentially career changing injury for Trapilo. The return rate for lineman who come back and don't get worse is pretty bad. Just awful.

LT has to be back on the menu in the draft, unfortunately.

I’m hoping we find out it is season ending but not as serious as it could be. Good thing is he is young. 

I hope somehow we find out that it isn’t ruptured or it is as minimal damage as possible. Very likely he misses a good chunk of next year and could be a career altering injury. 

2 hours ago, Pixote said:

Gordon might as well have stayed on the bench. He and JJ have had bad games today.

I think we will see Gordon get better though. First game back let’s see him take a step forward next week. Rome too. 

3 hours ago, Bears4Ever_34 said:

Loveland is a star.

He really is awesome.