Chicago Bears: Win raises hope, but does it change things?

Does the Chicago Bears staying in the playoff hunt with another win change anything?

The Chicago Bears have had one crazy 2020 season. In fact, it’s been like three seasons in one. They started out 5-1 and their fans had not only playoff hopes but also Super Bowl hopes flying high. Then a six-game losing streak in which the offense ground to a halt dashed those hopes. Now, with their second consecutive win, those playoff hopes are raised again. Their chances are still slim, but crazier things have happened.

The small winning streak has some fans rethinking the whole “fire everyone” mantra. They see a glimpse of an effective Mitchell Trubisy. Also, we all see how head coach Matt Nagy’s offensive system is supposed to run, finally (even though he relinquished play-calling duties). Don’t forget how some of general manager Ryan Pace’s draft picks, especially this year’s class, are contributing to the recent success.

With things falling in place now, some are in a better position to give this group another opportunity. If Pace can hit with his draft picks again, and sign key free agents, this team can become a contender, right? Nagy has been a great leader, so now that his system is working, his players will love him even more, right? With the coaches now adjusting the offense to fit Trubisky’s assets, he can be the starting quarterback the Chicago Bears have needed for decades, right?

Does the Chicago Bears newfound success change offseason plans?

As I stated earlier, fans wanted everyone, including the janitor, gone, just a couple of weeks ago. Does what is happening now, or say the team wins out and finishes with a 9-7 record, change things?

The correct answer to that question is a resounding no. We’ve seen this story before. Last season, the Bears started out 3-1 before losing four straight games. They then turned things around and won four of their next five. Eventually, they ended the season with an 8-8 record. That’s not much different than how they can finish this season.

How many times do we need to see this story before the team makes a change? Trubisky has shown flashes of what he could do, only to regress back to the struggling quarterback he’s been. This time, however, do the Bears risk giving him a big contract in the hopes that his switch is finally switched to the on position? Missing out on a quarterback sets a team back years. If you give him a long-term deal and he still is the same player, that will put an even bigger strain on the franchise.

What’s to say Nagy again takes over playcalling again? He sees how the offense is running better now, so if he thinks he can continue the momentum he could call plays once again. If the offense struggles again, where does that put the team?

Yes, Pace has done a great job of drafting later in the draft. He’s been absolutely awful in the first round, though. Of his first round picks since he got to Chicago in 2015, only one has been a player anyone can call a success — linebacker Roquan Smith. Pace has Kevin White, Trubisky and Leonard Floyd on his resume.

As far as free agents, Pace is also spotty. He did sign Allen Robinson, Akiem Hicks, Danny Trevathan, Cordarrelle Patterson, key players on the roster.

However, he also signed players like Mike Glennon, Quintin Demps, Antrel Rolle, Ray McDonald, Dion Sims, Cody Parkey, Trey Burton, and Jerrell Freeman to big contracts. None of them panned out.

Even though Robinson has been great for the Bears, he’s in the midst of a contract impasse with the team. They are reportedly about $2 million or so apart, and that threatens to end the talented wide receiver’s tenure in Chicago.

The Bears reportedly like all three men who hold the team’s future in their hands. Does this winning streak give the McCaskeys the excuse to stay with them?

The scapegoat could end up being Ted Phillips. Don’t get me wrong, as President and CEO of the Chicago Bears he has a hand in all this losing as well. Team Chairman George McCaskey is reportedly open to having Phillips retire. He then hires a real football person to run the team and keep Pace and Nagy. Pace, who put his job on the line for Trubisky, would most likely try to re-sign the quarterback.

I don’t think the team should base their decisions on what happens in the final month of the season. We have seen enough since 2015 to know that a change is needed. This team needs changes.