Bears Mailbag — Can Chicago Make The Playoffs In 2022?
SEATTLE — After a wild, ugly and ultimately disappointing loss to the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on Monday Night Football, the Chicago Bears were eliminated from playoff contention.
Not that there was much doubt, honestly.
Alas, here we are, with three games left in the death march of the Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace era. Listen to our take on it all on @clubdub_podcast:
Bears Self-Destruct vs. Fraudulent Vikings – Eliminated From Playoff Picture https://t.co/d8PymSk1Lf
— Club Dub Podcast (@clubdub_podcast) December 22, 2021
With games against Seattle, NYG and Minnesota remaining, hopefully Justin Fields and some of the youngsters can show sufficient progress.
With that, let’s reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Bears Mailbag
We have no idea what the roster will look like or what the new regime will be, so it’s difficult to say.
But you look at NFC teams in contention for the Wild Card and there’s lots of mediocrity.
It all depends on Fields — if he’s good, the Bears will contend for a decade.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 23, 2021
To elaborate on this, now that the 7th seed in the Wild Card is here to stay, look at some of the teams in contention for that final spot: Washington, Philadelphia, Minnesota, New Orleans, Atlanta.
None of these are very good teams.
Even San Francisco in the 6th spot is 8-6 so far after starting the year poorly.
With Aaron Rodgers’ future up in the air in Green Bay, you’re realistically looking at the NFC North being wide open if he leaves.
There’s no reason the Bears can’t be in contention next year, as long as they are able to fix the offense.
They have a lot of important hires to make this offseason to get them on the right track. They have to rebuild their WR room. They have to stabilize the offensive line (re-sign James Daniels, figure out the Center position). They have to make some decisions at TE.
But all in all, Justin Fields *must* progress.
If all those things can happen, the Bears can absolutely compete for the playoffs next year.
I’d be watching Michael Gallup, now that Chris Godwin unfortunately tore his ACL.
I’d also watch DJ Chark and Josh Reynolds (who I believe is also a free agent).
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 23, 2021
The Bears better hope it’s Justin Fields.
From a GM/HC standpoint, watch these names:
GM — Rick Smith
HC — Josh McDaniels, Nathaniel Hackett
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 23, 2021
Lots of smoke around McCaskey seriously considering it.
I think they should; I don’t know if they will.
But the fact that McCaskey is considering it is already a bit of a win.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 23, 2021
If you mean removing him from his job, no.
But they may remove him from having input in the next GM — whether it’s through another consultant or a true President of Football Ops, separate from Phillips.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 23, 2021
I’d target 2023 as the next year they are true contenders who are loaded up and ready.
Could aim for 2023-2024 as the next likely window.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 23, 2021
The money Hicks is probably looking for prohibits that, especially with the decisions the new regime has to make on Robert Quinn and Khalil Mack.
But I’d personally love to see him back.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 23, 2021
Only two I’d really be open to are:
Sean Desai
John DeFilippoMaybe Juan Castillo, but unlikely.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 23, 2021
To return next season?
For those among who need strong performances to realistically stay, I’d say Bilal Nichols.
The Bears need to prioritize getting James Daniels an extension.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 23, 2021
No, I think Pace is out, no matter what.
Ironic that he’ll likely be axed after a possibly legacy-defining draft where they possibly grab their QB and two bookend tackles.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 23, 2021