The Chicago Bears are one team that a lot of people are keeping their eyes on in the coming weeks. Depending on how they finish out the 2023 season will determine whether or not they look to make some regime changes.
Earlier in the season, there were rumors that the Bears could move on from head coach Matt Eberflus. With rumors floating about his job security, his team blew out the Washington Commanders, 40-20, to avoid an 0-5 start.
The Bears have been playing much better since that point, as they are 5-4 since the 0-4 start. However, it is anyone’s guess whether or not that will be enough for Eberflus to keep his job into 2024.
If management opts to make a change, the Bears will have the most sought-after head coach opening in the NFL in the opinion of ESPN’s Bill Barnwell. A big reason for the job being so valuable is the draft capital the team owns.
Courtesy of a trade with the Carolina Panthers ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Bears are in a position to own the No. 1 pick for the second straight year. That is a premium draft pick as Chicago will be in a position to select a new franchise quarterback should that be the route they wish to take.
However, on the other side of the coin, is one of the cons of the job. A head coach will have some influence over a major decision; should the Bears trade Justin Fields and select a rookie quarterback or retain Fields and build up the roster around him?
“I don’t know that a new coach will have the final say in that discussion, but if the Bears do fire Matt Eberflus, whoever they hire will be part of the process in terms of making a final decision about what to do at quarterback. Either option can work: Fields has flashed plenty of promising characteristics, and landing three or four first-round picks is the best path toward building a championship-caliber team. The most valuable asset in football, however, is a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback with years to go on a rookie deal. Neither option is assured, but whoever takes this job will be intrigued by whichever choice Chicago eventually makes.
At the same time, this isn’t going to be an easy call. The new coach will have to be involved in this process without ever working with Fields or spending much time with general manager Ryan Poles. It’s a good choice to have, but if the Bears and their new coach get it wrong, it might be enough to sink that coach’s tenure with the organization. That’s not going to preclude many coaches from being willing to join if they believe in whoever ends up quarterbacking this team, but it’s a reality of the situation: The biggest call of this coach’s life is going to be made with imperfect information,” wrote Barnwell.
This is a franchise-altering decision that will be made in 2024. Fields has shown improvement during the 2023 season and based on his skill set, certainly has the tools to succeed in the NFL. With an improved supporting cast, he has made strides and with two first-round picks, star prospects could be added to the mix around him.
Imagine what this offense could look like with wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and offensive tackle Olu Fashanu added to it. Harrison and D.J. Moore would be an incredible wide receiver duo for Fields to work with and Fashanu would address their biggest need to improve in the trenches.
With the third-youngest roster in the NFL, the Bears are starting to show signs of life and turning the corner. The 2024 offseason will be a major factor in determining how fast their timeline to contention is sped up, as a new head coach could be entering one of the best situations the league has to offer.
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