As the Chicago Bears head into the New Year they are hoping for a fresh start and new beginnings.
Fans had high hopes that 2024 would be a different year, but it not only was the same, but the added optimism made it worse. If the Bears want to get into shape this year, what are some key resolutions?
1. Get the head coach right
The Chicago Bears have to get the head coach right this year. If that means firing Ryan Poles, keeping him, telling Kevin Warren to stay out of the way, and having him more involved, it does not matter, they have to get it right.
If the team hires someone like Ben Johnson or Mike Vrabel, it may not result in Super Bowls, but everyone will understand the process. Matt Eberflus was nowhere near the top of anyone's list of top candidates when the Bears hired him.
2. Support Caleb Williams to the fullest extent
The Bears have to trust Caleb Williams. It is different, but in the case of Mitch Trubisky and Justin Fields, the team hired a head coach before year two. In both cases, that coach was not completely all-in on that quarterback. Matt Nagy discussed having to simplify things for Trubisky often while Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus went out of their way to signal that they were not attached to Fields. Trubisky clearly is not going to work, and Fields may not either, but in watching Geno Smith, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield, it is hard not to remember that patience and support are key to a quarterback growing in the NFL. Caleb Williams needs a coaching staff that is fit for him.
3. Build an offensive line until you cannot build it anymore
Ryan Pace invested in the offensive line, at times. Ryan Poles invested in the offensive line, at times. However, neither has prioritized the line with depth to the point where they were overbearing with players. They create a decent starting five on paper, one lineman goes down and the whole thing falls apart.
The Bears need to add depth in free agency, and then draft depth, and then continue to develop the players on their roster. No one will complain if they pass up a punter or backup defensive back to draft a late-round offensive lineman.