Like always, there has been a lot of arguing about the Chicago Bears trading Khalil Mack. Some support it, some hate it, and some are in the middle. I don’t need to tell you about the future cap savings the Chicago Bears will acquire in the future. The trade is not just about saving the salary cap and gaining draft capital. It’s about identity.
Khalil Mack, when healthy, is a defensive player of the year candidate. He is, don’t argue with me on that one. As much as I hate to say this, defenses no longer win Championships in the NFL. I mean “true” defensive-minded teams with a slightly below-average quarterback on the roster. No offense to Mike North, but Jim Finks isn’t winning any team, anything nowadays. Boy, oh boy, Mike North. Hey Mike, Mitch Trubisky (as he was) isn’t winning you much in the NFL nowadays, either.
The Khalil Mack trade should shift the Chicago Bears from defense to offense
The quarterback rules all. They just do. You might be saying, well, if Justin Fields is good, then having Khalil Mack is very useful. You would be right. The issue is, without providing Justin Fields everything possible to help him win on offense is pointless. Do you follow?
Justin Fields needs protection, more talented playmakers, Luke Getsy, and the offensive staff to create something great. The Chicago Bears need to substitute as much talent as they can on defense to create a great offense. Nothing else matters right now. Justin Fields’ success is that important — he can’t be average. He needs to become that star quarterback most NFL defenses fear playing.
I remember the Marc Trestman days. I know it didn’t work. But that wasn’t because the thought was incorrect by the Chicago Bears organization. Jay Cutler and Josh McCown combine for 4,400 yards passing, 32 passing touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. The offense was rolling, primarily thanks to McCown.
The Chicago Bears defense was terrible. However, the team finished 8-8. The Chicago Bears were loaded with playmakers Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Matt Forte, and Martellus Bennett. The offensive line was decent. Marc Trestman just failed as their leader, and the 2014 draft for the Chicago Bears was poor outside of Kyle Fuller.
Come on, Ego Furgeson, Will Sutton, and Brock Vereen were the mid-round selections. That is terrible. The combination of those events doomed the Chicago Bears and maybe rocking Jay Cutler instead of McCown (IDK). Justin Fields needs help, and that needs to be the priority early. If Fields becomes the player we hope and has talent, then the Chicago Bears can stroll back and focus on the defensive.
The first two draft picks the Chicago Bears have during the 2022 NFL draft should be focused on offense, even if it’s players I wouldn’t draft until the third round like George Pickens and David Bell. It could even be a tight end, offensive lineman, or any above combination. That is where Ryan Poles should focus his attention.
To Ryan Poles, be bold, be aggressive. Put talent around Justin Fields and watch him thrive. Pick of the pieces on defense once you figure out that he has the talent to become the face of the franchise as all quarterbacks should be for their teams in this generation of the NFL.