This article is part of our Team Previews series.
STATE OF THE FRANCHISE
Based on record alone, the Bears' 5-11 campaign wasn't the worst in team annals, but few in the franchise's 96-year history were as dispiriting. After entering the season with aspirations of contending for the playoffs, Chicago finished in the NFC North cellar, arriving there in embarrassing fashion.The Bears were already underachieving in the early going, but a 51-23 thumping from the Patriots in Week 8 would be a harbinger of things to come. Despite having had a bye to prepare for the rival Packers in Week 10, the Bears were absolutely throttled, trailing 42-0 at halftime before losing 55-14. It was the first time since 1923 that an NFL team had surrendered 50-plus points in consecutive games.
The back-to-back blowouts effectively quashed the Bears' postseason hopes with seven games still remaining, and, unsurprisingly, cost head coach Marc Trestman and GM Phil Emery their jobs. After the season ended, ownership acted quickly in bringing aboard former Broncos head man John Fox as the team's new coach and Ryan Pace as GM, while reeling in Adam Gase and Vic Fangio to coordinate the offense and defense, respectively.
Gase's chief priority will be doing what Chicago's last four offensive coordinators could not – reach the perpetually enigmatic Jay Cutler. Though he set career-best marks in touchdown passes (28) and completion percentage (66.0%) last season, Cutler's ineffectiveness early in games often left the Bears facing huge deficits. It appeared as though Cutler lost the faith of the locker
STATE OF THE FRANCHISE
Based on record alone, the Bears' 5-11 campaign wasn't the worst in team annals, but few in the franchise's 96-year history were as dispiriting. After entering the season with aspirations of contending for the playoffs, Chicago finished in the NFC North cellar, arriving there in embarrassing fashion.The Bears were already underachieving in the early going, but a 51-23 thumping from the Patriots in Week 8 would be a harbinger of things to come. Despite having had a bye to prepare for the rival Packers in Week 10, the Bears were absolutely throttled, trailing 42-0 at halftime before losing 55-14. It was the first time since 1923 that an NFL team had surrendered 50-plus points in consecutive games.
The back-to-back blowouts effectively quashed the Bears' postseason hopes with seven games still remaining, and, unsurprisingly, cost head coach Marc Trestman and GM Phil Emery their jobs. After the season ended, ownership acted quickly in bringing aboard former Broncos head man John Fox as the team's new coach and Ryan Pace as GM, while reeling in Adam Gase and Vic Fangio to coordinate the offense and defense, respectively.
Gase's chief priority will be doing what Chicago's last four offensive coordinators could not – reach the perpetually enigmatic Jay Cutler. Though he set career-best marks in touchdown passes (28) and completion percentage (66.0%) last season, Cutler's ineffectiveness early in games often left the Bears facing huge deficits. It appeared as though Cutler lost the faith of the locker room by season's end, as he was bypassed for a Week 16 start and was anonymously trashed in the media by former offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer.
With Cutler still owed $31.5 million over the next two years, the Bears can't afford to write him off. And despite the offseason trade of top target Brandon Marshall, Cutler still has Pro Bowl-caliber talent around him in Matt Forte, Alshon Jeffery and Martellus Bennett, and a dynamic new weapon in rookie Kevin White. If Gase can help the embattled quarterback curb the poor decision-making that's plagued him in the past, the Bears' offense could swiftly rebound.
Fangio will face a more onerous task in rebuilding a defense that has given up the most points in the league over the last two seasons. He'll implement a 3-4 scheme that should highlight the talents of the Bears' two big-ticket signings, linebacker Pernell McPhee and safety Antrel Rolle, but significant questions still remain about how the existing personnel might adapt.
OFFSEASON MOVES
Key Acquisitions
Kevin White – WR, West Virginia (ROUND 1, 7th Overall)The big, fast wideout provides a vertical threat to complement Alshon Jeffery.
Eddie Royal – WR, Chargers
Reconnecting with former teammate Jay Cutler to serve as the Bears' slot receiver.
Jacquizz Rodgers – RB, Falcons
The third-down back could help relieve Matt Forte's mounting workload.
Pernell McPhee – LB, Ravens
Profiles as Bears' best edge rusher in Vic Fangio's 3-4 defensive setup.
Antrel Rolle – S, Giants
His hard-hitting ways should be a good fit in new coordinator Vic Fangio's defense.
Key Losses
Brandon Marshall – WR, JetsHis high salary cap number and mercurial ways motivated the Bears to deal him to the Jets.
Lance Briggs – LB, FA
The former All-Pro had declined rapidly in 2014 and could opt to retire.
Charles Tillman – CB, Panthers
Replaced by Kyle Fuller after seeing action in just 10 games over the last two seasons.
TEAM NOTES
COULD THE BEARS EASE FORTE'S WORKLOAD?No player benefited more from having Marc Trestman at the helm the last two seasons than Matt Forte. He led all running backs in snaps both of the last two seasons, with his receiving skills making him a focal point in Trestman's screen-heavy offense. It culminated in a 102-catch 2014 season, establishing an NFL record for most receptions by a tailback. While Forte still warrants an early-round fantasy selection, coach John Fox's stated plan to use a backfield rotation creates some concern on that front. During the offseason, the Bears added scat back Jacquizz Rodgers in free agency and drafted home-run threat Jeremy Langford, who, along with second-year holdover Ka'Deem Carey, figure to cut into Forte's workload. Such a system would likely keep Forte fresh throughout the season, but a reduction in playing time likely isn't what the 29-year-old desires as he enters the final year of his contract.
THE REPLACING MARSHALL PLAN
In a draft flush with skilled receivers, Kevin White stood out as one of the position's top talents, despite not possessing much pedigree prior to his senior season. The former JuCo transfer wasn't on the radar until exploding for 109 catches, 1,447 yards, and 10 touchdowns in 2014 with West Virginia, leading many to label him a one-year wonder. That didn't deter the Bears from selecting White seventh overall, with the team brass optimistic that his blend of size (6-foot-3, 215 pounds), speed (4.35 40 time at the combine) and acrobatics will immediately make him Jay Cutler's preferred vertical threat opposite Alshon Jeffery. White will have huge shoes to fill in replacing the departed Brandon Marshall, but if his measurables translate to the NFL as the Bears envision, he could be the crown jewel of the 2015 rookie class.
MISFITS OF THE MIDWAY
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who oversaw top-five units in each of the last four seasons with the 49ers, brings a 3-4 system to Chicago, though it remains unclear if he has the personnel to stage a major turnaround in Year 1. Ravens import Pernell McPhee should be a matchup nightmare for offensive lines as a rush linebacker or with his hand on the ground, but the trio of high-priced 4-3 ends the Bears signed prior to last season (Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston and Willie Young) now seem like clunky fits in the scheme as they transition to outside linebacker. Further complicating matters, Houston and Young are returning from an ACL tear and Achilles' injury respectively, putting their availability in peril for the start of the season. If Fangio can't make the pieces coalesce, generating consistent pressure could be a season-long challenge for the Bears.
VALUE METER
Rising:Martellus Bennett established career marks in receptions (90), yardage (916) and touchdowns (six) in 2014, and could see his target totals rise with Brandon Marshall out of town.Declining: Coach John Fox's historical preference to employ a rotation of running backs likely means reduced usage for Matt Forte, who played 92 percent of the Bears' snaps last season.
Sleeper: After quietly racking up 109 catches and 15 touchdowns the last two seasons in San Diego, Eddie Royal may see increased involvement if rookie Kevin White struggles initially.
Supersleeper: Forte won't become a free agent until next summer, but Jeremy Langford's fourth-round selection hints at a succession plan that could be workshopped at some point in 2015.
IDP WATCH
Antrel Rolle – SHad 85-plus tackles and two or more interceptions in each of his last four seasons.
Mason Foster – LB
The free agent addition gives the team a playmaker at inside linebacker in Vic Fangio's 3-4 defense.
Christian Jones – LB
Became a starter late in 2014 and posted 31 tackles over his final three games.
