Chicago Bears: 2015 Season Preview

Aug 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox (left) talks with general manager Ryan Pace (right) prior to a preseason NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

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The Chicago Bears enter the 2015 season with expectations about as low as I can recall since the start of the Lovie Smith era more than a decade ago.  No one around the team wants to use the “R” word, but this is a rebuilding year.  New GM Ryan Pace opted to go with some younger players and jettison some costly vets who don’t figure to be part of the long-term plans.

The Bears lucked into getting veteran head coach John Fox, who parted company with the Denver Broncos after some philosophical differences with GM John Elway following Denver’s early exit from the playoffs last season.  Foxy brought in Adam Gase, who was set to take the 49ers job, but turned it down because the Niners insisted he keep eventual head coach Jim Tomsula.  Gase opted to come to Chicago and as luck would have it, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio left the tire fire in San Francisco to join the Bears staff as well.

Last season: 5-11

Key Additions: Eddie Royal, Pernell McPhee, Antrel Rolle, Alan Ball, Vlad Ducasse

Key Departures: Brandon Marshall, Charles Tillman, Lance Briggs, Tim Jennings, Jordan Mills, Roberto Garza, Stephen Paea

Draft Picks: WR Kevin White, NT Eddie Goldman, C Hroniss Grasu, RB Jeremy Langford, S Adrian Amos, OT Tayo Fabuluje

Let’s preview the 2015 season by taking a look at the players and position groups.

Next: OFFENSE