Chicago Bears: Making or Breaking the Present and Future on Mike Martz

From the looks of it, one would think that Mike Martz is the head coach of the Chicago Bears. It seems like every decision that is made revolves around Martz and his system.

The Chicago Bears have bought into Martz's system, and they should, considering that he is their offensive coordinator. The thing is, though, the Bears are gambling their current season and their future on Mike Martz.

Let us start out with one of the more questionable moves of the offseason. When the Chicago Bears traded Pro Bowl TE Greg Olsen to the Carolina Panthers, Jerry Angelo and the Chicago Bears were not only trading a great tight end, they were trading away their top touchdown receiver. In an offense that saw extreme highs and lows last season, Greg Olsen was no doubt a high point.

By trading Greg Olsen, the Bears now had to look elsewhere and insert a piece that would become their new leading receiver. I understand that Olsen just didn't fit in Martz's system, but the Bears traded away a huge piece of their offense, as well as a past first-round pick. Olsen is a great player, and I think the Bears could have found a way to make him work because you just don't get rid of talent like that.  

Quarterback Jay Cutler understands the business of the game and why he lost his No. 1 target, but the Bears were not smart to buy into Martz's system so quick and part ways with an extremely versatile player. By being so quick to make rash decisions, they lost a great young tight end and replaced him with an aging veteran wide receiver in Roy Williams.

Why did the Chicago Bears sign Roy Williams? Because of Mike Martz. 

Mike Martz coached Roy Williams in Detroit, and yes, the two did put together a 1,000-plus yard season. Two things, though. One, that was five years ago. Two, Mike Martz was fired from that job. I am not doubting what could happen with Martz and Williams in Chicago, but the Bears are hoping that Martz's faith in his past pupil will work out once again. Fact is, Williams faltered in Dallas and has yet to look like his old self in the first couple preseason games.

Another issue that the Bears are risking is losing Matt Forte. I am not saying that Matt Forte wants out of Chicago, but Martz's system is pass oriented, and the Bears may not find it in their "plans" to pay Forte the money if they don't see him fitting in Martz's system. Forte may also find it more feasible to join a team that has a more balanced attack.

Forte does have great hands, but the Bears could perhaps look elsewhere and decide they rather have a good blocking back. In the end, I do think the Bears know that Forte is their guy and they will bring him back. It is a possibility, though, if Martz doesn't see Forte as his ideal back.

The Bears are gambling their future on Martz's system. I am all into complying with the system because, if they are going to hire the guy, they need to make it work. But you just can't forget that Martz has been removed from St. Louis, Detroit and San Francisco for a reason. Eventually it just didn't work. And I am worried the same could happen in Chicago.

The Bears did have a great record last season, but that was mostly due to the defense. If the Bears can perfect Martz's system and he becomes a fixture of this offense for years to come, then yes, these moves were appropriate. That being said, the Bears have run the risk of gambling their future on the present, and fans can only hope that it works out.