2. Marc Trestman hired
Jan 17, 2013; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery (right) introduces new head coach Marc Trestman during a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears changed the course of the franchise by hiring an obscure head coach out of the Canadian Football League. After his previously described manhunt, Phil Emery arrived at an exiled offensive guru, who went to Canada to earn his head coaching merit badge. The early results were positive for the 2013 Bears.
Under Trestman’s leadership, the Bears offense topped 6100 yard overall for the first time in franchise history. The sack totals were down and starting quarterback Jay Cutler posted the highest quarterback rating of his career.
The big question going in was whether Trestman would earn the trust of the locker room and I believe he did. Everyone “bought in” and you could tell that the team was together. The question heading into next season is how Trestman deals with the turnover on the roster, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Can he fix the defense, or is he just like Lovie; a coach expert on his side of the ball but oblivious on the other side.