Just like many of you, I still — at times — shake my head in disbelief. Even though Chicagoans are now two days removed from the Bears’ 16-15 loss to the Eagles, the sound of Cody Parkey’s missed field goal is still as deafening as it was on Sunday night: doink, doink.
That sound is something that would be frequently found on the pages of a Marvel comic written by the great Stan Lee. Except this isn’t fiction for the Bears; Instead, it is just the harsh reality that is the NFL. Chicago’s 2018 season is over, and just like all of the teams that are not in the playoffs changes must be made moving forward.
And an all too familiar opponent, the Packers, have made their first move by hiring former Titans’ offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur to be their next head coach. The Bears won’t be looking for anybody to replace Matt Nagy, but they may have to go into the 2019 season looking for a new defensive coordinator. On the Monday following the Bears’ loss, Vic Fangio had his head coaching interview with the Denver Broncos and also had dinner later that evening with John Elway.
Fangio did not travel with Elway back to Denver, but that is no guarantee the mastermind behind Chicago’s dominating defense will stay. To add, on what could be a coachless-lead unit in the upcoming days, there is also more uncertainty. Both safety Adrian Amos and nickel corner Bryce Callahan will be free agents next season, and Ryan Pace could be forced to let one of the members of the Bears’ secondary, which helped lead the league in interceptions (27), hit the open market.
Of course, another obvious change, and understandably so, is that the Bears part ways with Parkey. According to Spotrac, the Bears would lose just under $5.2 million. It’s a price the organization must be willing to pay, especially if Chicago wants to avoid future disastrous situations from repeating themselves. Imagine what would happen if Parkey hit another field goal post in the closing seconds of a game. No joke, Bears fans might storm the field.
The Bears’ offense should also expect to see some possible changes heading into the next season. This shouldn’t shock anyone, but Pace’s first-ever pick as Bears GM, Kevin White, will be gone. Also, a decision will have to be made on whether the Bears bring back soon-to-be free agent right tackle Bobby Massie.
And I wouldn’t bet my money that running back Jordan Howard is a lock to be on the team next season. Yes, Howard still does have a year remaining on his rookie contract, but with the inconsistency of the running game and Nagy favoring a more versatile back, Howard’s time in Chicago could be over.
Change is common and to be expected in the NFL, and this is especially true when the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl is not obtained. For the Bears, a team that finished far ahead of schedule than what they were projected coming into the 2018 season, the next changes could be the ones that propel the organization from deafening disappointment to overwhelming success.
Let the kicker go and resign Bryce Callahan and sign another offense tackle to replace Bobbiesnd draft a safety on third round and four round draft a offense tackle and five rounds draft a wide receivers and seven round draft a kicker.
Could get Kareem Hunt real cheap and Nagy has worked with him, he’ll miss 6 games but could be the difference in the other 10.
We need another WR like we need another hole in our head! Try again.
As far as Massie goes, I believe he’s gone and the bears first (3rd) round pick would either be to replace Massie. Possibly Amos, and or Callahan. I think they probably would try to sign Callahan and possibly Amos but the cost is the driving force. Do the Bears want to put a rookie in the secondary? Who would be an affordable free agent? I don’t see Bush as the answer. I wouldn’t get rid of Howard, but I would stop running Cohen up the middle and stop it with the behind the line passes they go nowhere. Coward could be the Massie replacement unless a great rookie is found. I still think they need a shut down corner as well.
I think Bobby Massey did a serviceable job, but if you can upgrade you always want to do that. But Jordan Howard has proved his worth, proved he can catch the ball, and was instrumental in closing out games late. Since he’s already signed for one more year, I say we stay with him,And reassess the situation next year.As far as Bryce Callahan, and Adrian Amos I would love to keep both and it will be a hard choice of who to keep. But I’m thinking they probably will keep Callahan. Because I think finding an exceptional slot corner is easier than finding a good Strong safety,Especially with all pro safety Eddie Jackson back there.
Amos stays and Callahan will be gone. He’s great, but he cannot stay healthy.
I love Howard and Amos but it’s a business. Let’s hope they both stay.
What happened? Nagy thought they could get bye not playing Jackson.This caused Fuller to play with a lack of aggresivenes know Jackson did not have his back…Final play Jackson should have bee been put in a go where ever Tate went…..Amos and the other two stay with Jefferies…….Also, the defense did nit rotate outside linebackers into the game or interior lineman as they had been doing all season…especially since there were not any long drives..Vic ran very few blitzes or games because he new the secondary was weak thus it was a 4 man rush almost the whole game…..they had plays designed for Seheen …..did not use hardly any…the inside play at the goal line ….Peterson had seen too many time and was ready for it..the play was a rollout to the tight end……should have run Howard out of the eye…too many gaget plays…put the ball back in the Eagles hands…Finally Mitch could have scramble for some those crucial 3 downs….the Coaching staff lost this game…
Why can’t Deon Bush repack Amos as strong safety? That is his natural position? Bring back Callahan and invest in upgrading the offensive line
Have to resign Bryce Callahan. Especially the way the nfl is headed with the spread and stretching the field. Amos would be nice to have around for another few years as well but I say he’s a lower priority. I think we should keep JH for another year because he is cost effective and can mold his body to fit the offense (look at leveon bell dropping weight out of Michigan state). I think Bobby Massie can be upgraded but it’s hard to trust a rookie to do it.
There is a place for Jordan Howard in this offense, plus he’s on a rookie contract. I’m trying to figure out why Taquan Mizzell was even on the field Sunday..
The single most important thing the bears can do now that would direct the future of the organization in the correct path would be to make Vic Fangio the highest paid asst coach in the league. We don’t wanna see another 1985 buddy ryan situation. Vic knows he’s wetter def coordinator than head coach, but money is everything. Pay that man.
Then go about the biz of signing one of either Amos or Callahan (I don’t think we can keep both) to a deal. Massie may come cheaper than the next best option and Jordan Howard is a stud. Things to think about going forward.
If I could have my way? keep the whole band together. Every instrument.
A lot of asterisks with this comment BUT:
-Sign Callahan and Massie
-Let Amos go
-Trade Howard for a 2nd or 3rd rnd pick to AFC team
-Work to sign Kareem Hunt or T.Coleman [assuming he can get his act together]
-Dump Parkey and re-sign Gould
-I am not sold on our QB. To be honest I would love to see Flacco here. Tall body, great pocket passer but that’s just me.
They will resign Massie, Callahan, release Parkey and lose Amos to free agency. They will pick up a safety and running back in the draft.
Also, draft a kicker in the 7th round.
Keep Howard nagy didn’t run him nearly as he should have or he would have had a 3rd 1k yrd season. Release Amos he is a liability in pass coverage.. Keep Massie he got better and knows the offense..We need a shut down corner too many PI for Amuk.. Overall nagys playcalling was below average and is the real reason the Bears are at home. Parkey should have been released before the playoffs.. The End