2014 record: 5-11
2015 Non Division Opponents: NFC West, AFC West, Washington, Tampa Bay
2014 in Review: The Bears were a sleeper pick last season, but they never got going. A shocking overtime loss week one to Buffalo set the tone for a very disappointing season. The Bears hit rock bottom when Jay Cutler was benched for Jimmy Clausen in week sixteen. Let that sink in. Jimmy Clausen, who was 1-9 in his NFL career as a starter, was deemed a better option at quarterback by then head coach Marc Trestman. It’s not as if the move wasn’t necessary. Cutler was a turnover machine in 2014, throwing a league high 18 interceptions. The Bears as a team saw 16.1% of their drives end in a turnover, the fourth worst mark in the NFL. Trestman was supposed to be an offensive genius, but his run in Chicago will not be remembered fondly.
2015 Free Agency: Trestman was shown the door after the season ended, and after the Denver Broncos relieved John Fox of his duties, the Bears swooped in and made him their new head coach. Fox will attempt to rehabilitate Cutler, and moving to a more run heavy offense should take some of the pressure off. Fox will be in charge of the offense while former San Francisco Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio is taking over the defense. Fangio pushed hard for the signing of Defensive End Ray McDonald, who was subsequently released after another off the field incident. As he usually does, Brandon Marshall wore out his welcome in the Windy City, and he was shipped off to the Jets for a fifth round draft pick. The Bears did sing Pernell McPhee from Baltimore to help on defense, as well as Safety Antrel Rolle. On offense, Eddie Royal was signed to replace Marshall, but he is definitely a downgrade.
2015 Draft: The Bears knew that as well, as they spent their first pick on West Virginia Wide Receiver Kevin White. White is expected to start from day one, but there will definitely be a learning curve at that position. The Bears did not draft any other expected starters with their other picks this season.
Player on the Hot Seat: Alshon Jeffery, WR. The trade of Brandon Marshall has opened the door for Jeffery to be the #1 receiver in Chicago. His numbers the past two seasons are outstanding. 89 catches for 1421 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2013, followed up by 85/1133/10 last season. The production is there, but it’s a little harder than that. In three games last season without Marshall, Jeffrey averaged only 4 catches for 61 yards per game. It wasn’t for lack of trying, as he had 29 targets in those three games. Jeffery needs to prove he can make the jump from #2 to #1 like Reggie Wayne did and not become another footnote like Peerless Price.
Players you want on your fantasy team: Even if he doesn’t producer monster numbers, Jeffery is the receiver you want in Chicago. He’s worth an early round pick. Matt Forte is worth a first round pick, especially in PPR leagues. Fox wants to pound the ball, so expect Forte’s carries to go up as well as his catches.
Season Prediction: Fox will change the culture, but the bottom line is the Bears aren’t good enough to overcome a quarterback that doesn’t take care of the ball. Turnovers will continue to plague this team and will lead to another subpar season. SFTB Prediction: 6-10