Biggest Questions Facing the Chicago Bears This Offseason
After dropping to 5-8 on the season following a 41-28 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14, the Chicago Bears were officially eliminated from the playoffs this past Sunday afternoon, via ChicagoFootball.com's Kevin Fishbain:
"The Bears get eliminated from the playoffs after the Lions win and have sole possession of last place in NFC North after the Vikings win.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) December 7, 2014"
Now that the team has officially been eliminated from the playoffs, it is time to start looking ahead to the offseason and the 2015 season. Chicago still has three games left to play this season, but many questions about the team's future remain.
Who will be running the defense in 2015? Will Jay Cutler still be the team's starting quarterback? Are Marc Trestman's days in Chicago numbered? These questions and more are addressed inside as we take a look at the biggest question facing the Chicago Bears this offseason.
Who Will Be the Defensive Coordinator Next Season?
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Since Chicago fired Lovie Smith following the 2012 season, the Bears have struggled to find their identity on defense under defensive coordinator Mel Tucker.
During Smith's tenure in Chicago, his defensive units were typically among the league's best, but Tucker's units have struggled for the better part of the last two seasons.
Tucker's unit in 2013 gave up an average of 394.6 yards per game, third-worst in the NFL. Additionally, Chicago's defense allowed an NFL-worst 161.4 yards per game on the ground. Chicago's run defense improved this season, but the unit as a whole has allowed a league-worst 30 passing touchdowns.
According to Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune (subscription required), Chicago's defense allowed a team-high 478 points last season and has given up 378 points this season. If the Bears give up 44 or more combined points in their next three games, Tucker will be responsible for two of the worst seasons in the organization's history in terms of points allowed.
After the team's latest struggles on defense against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweeted on Sunday that Tucker is likely gone after the season:
"Barring significant improvement, I’m told the #Bears plan to part ways with defensive coordinator Mel Tucker after this season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 7, 2014"
"Plenty of blame to go around for #Bears, who will say publicly they haven’t discussed staff changes. I’m told the plan is to have a new DC
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 7, 2014"
If Rapoport's tweets are true, it will be very interesting to see who will take over as defensive coordinator in 2015. If head coach Marc Trestman is retained next season, the team will likely try to hire from within.
Defensive backs coach Jon Hoke and defensive line coach Paul Pasqualoni would likely be the top in-house candidates to replace Tucker if Trestman stays.
Hoke has been the team's defensive backs coach since 2009, while Pasqualoni has prior experience as a collegiate head coach at Syracuse and Connecticut.
Regardless of who the defensive coordinator is in 2015, Chicago's defense will be expected to perform much better than it has in the last two seasons.
Will Marc Trestman Remain as Head Coach?
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After going 8-8 in his first season as head coach of the Chicago Bears, Marc Trestman's team has regressed mightily in his second season.
The offense flourished in 2013, finishing second in the league in scoring. Quarterback Jay Cutler missed time due to injuries last season, but he showed flashes of improvement under Trestman. Flash forward to 2014, and Chicago currently sits tied for 18th in the league in scoring, averaging just 21.6 points per game. Despite putting up some of the best numbers of his career, Cutler has thrown the second-most interceptions in the league this year with 15.
Because of Chicago's struggles this year, there is no guarantee that Trestman is back next season. BearReport.com's Jeremy Stoltz thinks there is a 60 percent chance Trestman returns:
"@JoshRomberg I'd say 60% Trestman stays, but that could drop if team continues to get pummeled the next three weeks.
— Jeremy Stoltz (@BearReport) December 7, 2014"
Regardless of the speculation surrounding him, Trestman feels he has support inside the building.
“It has been tremendously supportive, during the good weeks and bad weeks. And it has been extremely consistent by everybody here," said Trestman, via Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune.
CSNChicago.com's John Mullin thinks Chicago's fourth-quarter performance against the Cowboys in Week 14 may have been enough to save Trestman's job.
"In the span of less than a full quarter, Trestman’s players may have in fact saved his job after putting it at serious risk (again)," Mullin wrote. "Whether they saved some other staff jobs, however, is another matter."
Unless the Bears get completely blown out in these last three games, Trestman will likely remain as the team's head coach next season.
Could the Team Shop Brandon Marshall?
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Wide receiver Brandon Marshall came into the 2014 season with the Bears fresh off back-to-back 100-catch, 1,000-yard seasons and with a brand-new contract extension.
Injuries have plagued his 2014 season, and he was officially placed on injured reserve this past Monday after he suffered two broken ribs against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football, via Adam Hoge of TheGameChicago.com:
"Brandon Marshall officially to IR. WR Josh Bellamy promoted from practice squad.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) December 8, 2014"
He hauled in 61 catches for 721 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games this season. Despite fighting through injuries and still being productive, Marshall has had his fair share of outbursts this season.
After the team lost to the Miami Dolphins back in October, Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com reported Marshall criticized quarterback Jay Cutler.
"Yelling could be heard from outside the double doors, and a source said receiver Brandon Marshall called out quarterback Jay Cutler," wrote Wright. "The source said there 'are some very selfish individuals in the locker room.'"
Marc Trestman disputed the belief that there was a rift between Marshall and Cutler the next day, via the team's official Twitter account:
"Trestman on whether there's a rift between Cutler and Marshall: "I don't see that at all. I think there's a brotherly love involved."
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 20, 2014"
Marshall stayed relatively quiet after his Week 7 tirade until he appeared on his radio show this past week and discussed Ian Rapoport's report that the Bears have "serious buyer's remorse" with Cutler.
"That's tough, man," Marshall said Monday during The Brandon Marshall Show on ESPN 1000, via Wright.
He continued:
"It doesn't always fall on him. I guess that's why those guys are the highest-paid players out there, because when you win and everything is going good, they get all the glory. When it's bad, they take more than what they should take. But I can understand that. As far as a business man, I would have buyer's remorse, too."
Marshall's comments are understandable and do not necessarily throw Cutler under the proverbial bus, but Rapoport's report is not one that Marshall should be agreeing with publicly.
He has been an outspoken player since he entered the league in 2006, but with three years remaining on his deal and a need to eventually extend Alshon Jeffery, Chicago could look to shop him around if a solid deal is available.
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How Will the Team Move on from Lance Briggs and Charles Tillman?
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Since the departure of linebacker Brian Urlacher following the 2012 season, the Chicago Bears have relied heavily on linebacker Lance Briggs and cornerback Charles Tillman to fill Urlacher's leadership void.
Briggs struggled playing without Urlacher alongside him in 2013 and was forced into making the calls on the field after spending 10 years listening to Urlacher make them.
"It's very different," Briggs said at the time, via Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "I didn't call the plays before, and now I am. I just have a lot of respect. I've been spoiled for the last 10 years."
Briggs played just nine games last season due to injuries and was recently placed on injured reserve after playing in just eight games this season.
His contract is set to expire after the season, and he is aware that his time in Chicago is likely done.
“I understand this is probably my last year as a Chicago Bear,” he said, via Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune. "I’m OK with it. I can look back on my career at the games, all I put on tape, the way I fought with my teammates and be a happy man.”
Despite a pair of lackluster seasons, Briggs was arguably one of the league's best 4-3 outside linebackers from 2003-2012.
According to ChicagoBears.com, Briggs registered 1,564 tackles, 15 sacks, 16 interceptions, 19 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and six touchdowns in 12 seasons with the Bears.
In addition to Briggs likely being gone next season, Tillman is also unlikely to return.
Tillman was placed on injured reserve this past September for the second year in a row with a triceps injury. He signed a one-year deal this past offseason to return to Chicago.
"I know this feeling way too well, but this isn't the end of the road for me," said Tillman after the injury in September, via ESPNChicago.com's Jon Greenberg. "As I rehab my injury, my role will transition to helping coach and support my teammates. I will be at Halas Hall and do everything I can to help our team reach its goals."
The emergence of rookie Kyle Fuller in the wake of Tillman's injury likely means that the 12-year veteran will not be playing in Chicago next season.
With Briggs and Tillman likely gone, guys like Fuller, guard Kyle Long and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery are three young candidates who have an opportunity to develop into leaders on this team for years to come.
Will Jay Cutler Remain the Starter at Quarterback?
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After signing a seven-year deal this offseason, quarterback Jay Cutler's productivity was expected to take a big jump in 2014.
He is well on his way to throwing for more than 4,000 yards for the first time since 2008, and his 26 touchdowns this season are just one shy of his career high set back in 2009. Despite throwing for 3,446 yards with 26 touchdowns and 15 interceptions this season, Cutler has had a disappointing 2014 campaign.
Just as Ian Rapoport reported over the weekend that the team plans on moving forward without Mel Tucker next season, the team also reportedly has "buyer's remorse" with Cutler:
"As for Jay Cutler, there is serious buyer’s remorse. Inside the organization, there is doubt Cutler can lead them to where they want to go
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 7, 2014"
Rapoport also reported the team does not like that Cutler fails to check out of bad plays:
"Big problem for Jay Cutler comes in the run game and not checking out of bad plays. Not the only reason for run-game issues, but a big one
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 7, 2014"
One benefit of Chicago's big deal for Cutler this past offseason is that they could save $12.5 million dollars in 2015 if it were able to trade him this offseason.
"Emery was smart in how he constructed Cutler's contract. If the Bears trade Jay Cutler, they'll save $12.5M in 2015 cap room.
— NFL Philosophy (@NFLosophy) December 7, 2014"
If Rapoport's reports are true, the Bears could try to shop Cutler this offseason. While they may be able to find a handful of suitors to take Cutler off their hands, they will need to have someone who can replace him under center in 2015.
Chicago could look to the draft at potential first-round picks Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston, but there is no guarantee either will be available when the team makes its pick in the first round next April. The Bears could look to free agency, but potential free agents like Mark Sanchez or Brian Hoyer are not necessarily upgrades over Cutler.
Considering how much money the Bears have to pay Cutler in 2015 if he is still on the roster, whether he returns as the starter next season will be the biggest question facing Chicago this offseason.
Record/statistical information provided via email from the Chicago Bears or NFL.com.
Matt Eurich is an NFL/Chicago Bears Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.
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