Chicago Bears: 7 Questions for 2015
What’s the plan for Jay Cutler?
With a new coaching regime now in place one of the first things that the Bears will need to address is the quarterback situation. Fans have seen little improvement from the former budding quarterback as the sensible solution would be to move him under normal circumstances. Unfortunately, Cutler’s contract makes him virtually impossible to trade or release at the moment, leaving Ryan Pace with few options. Is a trade even possible? Will the Bears look for a quarterback in the draft? These questions should be some of the first few answered surrounding the Bears organization to start the offseason.
Will the veteran defenders be resigned?
Charles Tillman and Lance Briggs are slated to become free agents this offseason and all indications are that they want to return. The question is, will they still have a place on the team? Obviously, if the team sticks to a 4-3 Defense, Briggs will be nice to have, but a change in formation may eliminate his chances on the team. While it would be great to see both of these future Hall of Famers on the team, but decisions must be made to best impact the future.
How will John Fox and Matt Forte coexist?
Matt Forte has been an absolute stud for Chicago ever since the team picked him in the second round back in 2008. After breaking the running back single season catch record in 2014 it’s hard to imagine the Bears will want to move him, but with John Fox now at Head Coach it will be interesting to see if and how his role will change with the team. Fox coached teams have consistently used multiple running back schemes leaving me to wonder if Forte’s days as the lone workhorse in the backfield are numbered.
Will the team convert to a 3-4 Defense?
The Chicago Bears are the only team in the NFL to never use a 3-4 Defense as their primary defensive formation, but with Vic Fangio now at Defensive Coordinator that may change as early as next season.
How much longer will Brandon Marshall’s future be with the team?
Although Marshall’s contract is not up until 2018, he’s certainly one player that could be lost in the shuffle of the regime change. The 31-year old wide receiver tends to be a distraction and it remains to be seen how the reunion between him and Adam Gase goes. Marshall will be skating on rather thin ice for much of 2015.
When and how much will Alshon Jeffery be paid?
While 2014 may be viewed as a down year for Jeffery after a breakout performance in 2013, the 24-year old wide receiver still managed 85 catches for 1,133 yards and 10 touchdowns (career high). Over the past two seasons he has proven to be a durable and reliable player and would be a number one receiver on most NFL teams. Though he may not get Dez Bryant money, a big contract extension will be coming Alshon’s way sooner rather than later.
What is the biggest need on Draft Day?
At (5-11) last year, hardly anything went right for Chicago. Without much of a defense and a fairly lifeless offense the team has plenty of positions it will need to upgrade this offseason. It remains to be seen what will be the biggest priority for the Bears on Draft Day.