DABEARSDABOMB

Yeah this is nice. I am worried for Steelers game…after that I think we are going to start seeing more consistent growth from Fields.

I am hoping the week away maybe helped Nagy get some much needed perspective. Wishful thinking I know…either way end of the season go get Dabol.

I would love the wr corps with Beckham. Him, Mooney and Arob is nice.

This. I get it and he is a diva, but he has talent and it’s at a position we need all kinds of help. If it doesn’t work…cut him lose. That said - I can’t imagine he is joining the Bears unless him and Fields are right. Got to image in he heads to Pats or Packers or somewhere with a legit qb. Maybe Dallas.

Would love to know what the offers were, if at all. I wouldn’t have moved Arob for less than a 2nd rounder so my guess is no one offered that (if not - just get me the comp pick or tag him and trade him in offseason when he has more value). Mack is probably a better offseason vs in season trade candidate too but I would have thoughts Chiefs would have had interest in Hicks and similar someone would have wanted Quinn.

I am okay listening on Monty - but I'd prefer moving our defensive pieces + Robinson (although Robinson at this point - it may just be better hoping that somehow he gets healthier (I think he's been banged up and for Fields own sake it would be nice for him and the whole offense to get another weapon). If I take a glass half full view - i look at it as we are a Borom and Jenkins panning out away from basically being an upgraded center away from having a pretty damn good line and one that is young and affordable. That would give the Bears a great foundation to surround Fields with. At a minimum, hopefully one of Borom/Jenkins pans out and that means they have cap space and/or can use another draft pick near(er) term to fill the final voids. When you pair that with Herbert and Monty, I like how the combination of a good line (hard to imagine given how bad this years line had been and it was only 1 game but I think Borom might be a keeper) and solid backs would be to supplement Fields. At TE - Kmet is solid. He isn't a dynamic wideout so by no means is he an all pro (and he wont' be) but he's a pretty good TE and if they can than find another TE in the draft who can be more dynamic - again - that gives two big, foundational targets for Fields. It also means you basically have a C, another TE, and than the wide receiver spot to address when it comes to the offense. At wideout - they have a lot of work to do. Ideally Robinson / Fields would work things out and look much more dynamic, so much so that the Bears and Robinson could eventually agree on a 3 or 4 year deal (at $15M/yr money - not $20M/yr money). Mooney is not a #1 - but he is a good #2 and than they need to massively upgrade behind that - via FA and draft (can't just do one) and it can't be random Goodwins - you need real difference makers. Honestly - glass half full (and again - this very much assumes the young tackles work out & Fields is for real - a big if on all parts) - that is a pretty nice core on offense, with a lot of cost-controlled parts that should allow you to supplement/fill some of those voids via free agency. That would be huge for Fields and really positioning the squad for success - so much so that the same nucleus could be a great spot for another high draft pick in 2-3 years if Fields wasn't the guy (I hope that isn't the case). I'm clearly ignoring defense - but at this point - I just feel like we need to find the QB and get the offense to work - than once you get that - now you have a much longer window to figure out how to build a good defense around that offense.

Borom looked good - I didn’t notice him which is a compliment!

This - specifically your trade deadline. Either way - Fields was much sharper than any game all season. Was great to see!

This is good news - that said - I am still worried about how ready he will be after missing so much time, but I'd love to find out in 2nd half of this season if Bears somehow got some building blocks on that line.

At what point, if at all, would the Bears consider going back to Dalton? Feels like Fields is getting hit like crazy, unable to make the quick read, and while there are many reasons for it - performances like the Browns game and Bucs game are so bad that it is hard to generate any learning from those moments...in fact it can be the opposite, too much of this can break a player. I'm worried it is trending in that direction and I honestly think the Bears were right about fact that Fields should sit for a while. Yes, at some point he has to learn on the field, but it is pretty clear that there are certain skills that are lacking and the system has not been designed to help him. Unless we see major changes to offense to simplify and put Fields in position where he can get small wins and grow through those wins...vs. being left to dissect entire fields with a crap line as a rookie (both working against him) - It just seems like we are burrying the kid. I really hope we start to see some wins out of Fields, who I believe in, but I got to start seeing something and this team needs to start doing something different. It has to.

I still like Fields - but obviously I would have liked to thinks go better for him to start. I think he has the right attitude and intangibles. I agree with others that he doesn't look near as explosive as I expected (given his 40 speed) but I think that is because he is thinking too much out there. I also go back to this is not the right offense / set-up for a rookie QB, especially one with Fields skill sets and current limitations. Tony Romo was brutal in the 1st half re: what the Bears were doing with Fields and I think it is pretty clear to everyone how bad this offensive scheme is. This team is probably a 7/8/9th best team in NFC as I think the defense is actually pretty good (nothing they could have done on Sunday) and Dalton can make this offense look okay enough....but the whole point is this is an awful offense to actually develop anyone in and beyond that the skill position talent and oline remain weak. If you want to go all in on offense, than show it and start doing it. I don't know that getting rid of Nagy now vs. later changes anything unfortunately until the off-season, but it might. I also don't think Lazor is amazing and he is stuck inheriting what he has in terms of a really weak offensive scheme.

Not what I expected yesterday. I expected a loss - but I expected Fields to be able to make some splash plays. This was a lot more dissapointing than the Browns game...in many many ways. Not a good look for Fields...it looks like he needed a lot more time sitting and watching and right now we might be sending him to the wolves in a spot where he can't do anything right and is only burrying himself.

It will be pretty clear by the end of the year. Either Fields and offense is showing real progress and if they are -> I kind of think we'll have a decent record and be competing for a 7th seed with the arrow pointing up. If that is the case - he gets another year to show he can get the offense to next level. If that doesn't happen and team is a few games under .500 and offense ranks low and Fields looks like a rookie...I think the Bears pretty clearly have a new coach the following year. Final 6-8 games of the season are going to be really critical for Nagy.

I haven't noticed it and to be honest, if Fields had that vibe, that would be a major issue to me. He's a rookie -> respect your coach. I don't get that at all, but I do think he's comfortable to ask questions and be engaged in the play calling and the film review, etc, where as I think Trubisky didn't have that swagger to bounce back from issues (honestly - I think that was his biggest issue in CHicago), so he hung on every word from coach vs. having that dialogue with coaches - it really is important to have that 2 way conversation so things can be more tailored. I do think there is the element of Nagy as HC has a ton to be responsible for during the game.

I think this is just an old schtick. Nagy has the keys to the kingdom in his hand. Fields takes steps forward 2nd half of the year - he will be here. If he doesn't, he's gone. I'm not going to overanalyze as he is the head coach and will clearly know what plays are coming in or not, but its pretty clear at this point, Lazor is the man running and we can't just point fingers at Nagy everytime a series goes wrong...oh he must be calling plays again. No the bigger question is Nagy's scheme at this point...and I think it is ridiculously predictable...that said, I think we will have a pretty clear choice at the end of the season. Either arrow is pointing upward on Fields and if that happens we are probably right around .500 and potential 7 seed....or the offense is still struggling and Fields is looking like a rookie (doesn't mean Fields won't be the guy...more that he hasn't exploded onto the scene yet) and the Bears will head a new direction with the HC.

By the way - anyone frustrated with Fields...just watch the Jags where Lawrence has his own struggles he is going through. I'd say he is further ahead than Fields at this point, partially because he has a few more starts and partly because they are a worse team and they are opening the playbook up much faster. The one QB who has blown me away is Mac Jones. He has already shown me he is going to be a good QB. What I dont' know with Mac is whether he will be a great QB or not. But the way he throws guys open and reads defenses is super advance. We always knew he had that skillset the question was how the physical skills played into the equation. At this point, I have little doubt that Mac will be a solid QB -> from here it is will those traits be special enough to overcome some of those physical shortcomings. The inverse to that is -> I have seen Fields touch/ball placement - it can be special and I know his athleticism is incredible. Now can he overcome fact that he needs to get better at read/reacting to speed of NFL defenses (both in terms of not taking sacks, getting more quick hits out, etc) so that he can survive and I think he's already shown that and he's clearly high intellect...but his challenge will cause him to take a bit more time to come through because the speed of the NFL game is so much different vs. college. Bottom line -> I'm still buying very high on Fields and have really not seen anything right now that has me concerned, including just how he has responded to tough moments and adversity. Right now, while I know where his areas of growth need to come from, I haven't seen any fatal flaws to me that show he can't get to where he is good enough in those categories...where his pure athleticm and arm talent can more than overcompensate from being okay at some other categories.

So that is just not true. Fields int ratio is like 3% vs. Mitch's was 2.1% or so as a rookie. I could care less - none of that matters in the grand scheme. To me it will be how is Fields playing in the 2nd half of the year.

Ummm-Mitch threw 7 INT's in 12 games. That is actually pretty damn good for a rookie. His issue was more just 7 TD's in the same amount of games - albeit he was not really being asked to pass a ton either. I guess my point is - small sample size and not stat good but if you are implying Fields is way better than Mitch at throwing picks I'd tell you that wasn't really a huge issue in Mitch's game. If Mitch could just throw a better deep ball he would be in Chicago. Yes he had his other warts, but they would have been overcame with a better deep ball.

I agree he hasn't looked as explosive in the pocket - but I think this is more that he hasn't yet figured out when to tuck and run vs. when to make a play and that will come as he just gets more used to the speed of the game, etc. I have seen some moments where he looks super fast. I think the big thing with me that points the arrow up -> his attitude and work ethic & his ball placement on intermediate and deep balls combined with his pure athleticism. The obvious concern is whether he'll get rid of the ball fast enough and be able to take advantage of quick hitters, but i love his skill set for the long run, including his ability to mentally handle everything that comes up with being the QB. Right now I haven't seen much anything change my mind -> but my answer would change if we don't see some special halfs of games and some pretty material progress by the end of the year. No matter what - I think you need a full offseason after and see how year two works, etc, but I think this kid has a TON of moxie combined with a ton of tools and I think we'll start to see the game slow down (it already has a bit - but I think after another handful of games we'll see a pretty noticeable difference). I kind of think the Bucs game is going to be one where we see a few more big plays.

This - we are set to have a pretty fun 2nd half of the season. I'd say we are a few weeks away from that - but I am really excited to see what Fields and the team looks like in the 2nd half of the year. To me I want to see a special game or two out of Fields. That isn't to say a perfect game - but more a game where he is just consistently flashing. I think all great QB's do it at some point during their rookie year (even if not perfect - they'll have that game with a bunch of great plays and some stupid mixed in). I also am very curious to see how Pace handles the trade deadline as I think they have some veteran pieces they should be looking to move for draft picks. Robinson (or maybe in the offseason), Quinn, Mack (probably not until the offseason), Hicks, and one of Dalton/Foles are a few. I'm not expecting a massive package (unless you are talking Mack and/or Robinson) but you should be able to at least get some additional young picks that could be crucial (whether you use them or dangle some of them to move up in the draft and/or trade for other players in the off-season). I also think with Nagy - the decision will be pretty easy. If Bears are showing real progress in 2nd half of season - he stays and is on for next year. If not - new coach. Re: Pace, I would not do what I'm about to say - but I feel like the front office, unless Fields is an utter disaster this season, will allow Pace to hire a new coach this offseason if that is what Pace wants to do. The only way I see both Pace/Nagy out is if Fields is a total disaster - but I would actually be pretty shocked if that happened. Right now - I think it is 50/50 on Nagy being gone and 10/90 on Pace being gone.

HE is really really good. Sure tackler, strong defender. Biggest thing with him is he has to show an ability to stay on the field.

There were some bad plays from the line, but that was the big issue I saw from fields during preseason. He looks downfield and shows his arm talent (which is special). He also shows an ability to make plays with his legs. But he has to figure out how to take the easy plays and the gimme's too and really give himself a chance. He can't just sit back and hold the ball as long as he does. If he does that -> he will get killed and have a very short career. I see no reason he won't figure that out, but it is why I was always open to him getting a bit more time because he's got to make quicker decisions.

He had an awful penalty -> but outside of that he looked, dare I say it, good.

I would expect Bears would franchise him one more year and thus will have leverage to flip him for a 2nd rounder (worse case). I will say, my best case scenario was the Redskins or Dolphins, who both have great defenses, decide they need an upgrade at QB and Dalton plays himself into the point where you could get a pretty good pick for Andy. Its unfortunate Dalton went down cause he was looking really sharp yesterday and would have helped justify that business case. Than just move Foles in as the #2. I used to think Foles was the guy they would deal....but now I'm thinking Dalton could be the best case guy you eventually flip once you decide it is Fields turn. Note: I was thinking this before Dalton got hurt and before Heinecke had a really good game. On the flip side, Tua is banged up.

I said in the off-season, I would have started to blow things up and move anyone on the wrong side of 26 or so for picks. Eddie Jackson has no value at this point so he's a moot point, but i still think they totally whiffed on Fuller and could have gotten something if they hadn't put themselves in a corner. Hicks, similar, the Bears boxed themselves in and had no escape. I'm not saying they would have gotten a lot...but they would have got something. I also was on record of saying now was the time to deal Mack. THey need to shift and put investments in the offense/Fields and that starts by shifting where we spend the money and accumulating picks to retool both sides of the ball. Robinson is a really interesting guy to watch. If team is out of contention and far enough out...do the Bears move him for say a 2nd round pick? Could they get a 2nd round pick? I don't know...the 2nd round pick will likely not be as good as Arob, but you free up future cap space and probably can move him and Mack if you do this deal (since Arob would be cap savings that would allow you to absorb a Khalil Mack move).