ESPN NFC North Writers Praise Chicago Bears Off-Season

Jan 19, 2015; Lake Forest, IL, USA; New Chicago Bears head coach John Fox (R) and wife Robin L) pose for a photo after the press conference at Mugs Halas Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears have certainly made the most changes out of all the NFC North teams this off-season. That is why it should come as no surprise that all of the ESPN NFC North beat writers pegged the Bears as having the best newcomer to the division entering the 2015 season.

After a 2014 season that saw the Chicago Bears go 5-11, there was a need for sweeping changes.

The Bears’ organization made those changes as the team fired general manager Phil Emery and head coach Marc Trestman. Replacing Emery is rookie general manager Ryan Pace. Replacing Trestman is veteran head coach John Fox.

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Pace and Fox have been hard at work this off-season as the duo have worked towards renovating the Bears’ roster. The work that Pace and Fox have done this off-season received praise on Monday as all the ESPN NFC North beat writers pegged the Bears as having the best newcomer to the division.

Rob Demovsky, who covers the Packers for ESPN, has Fox as being the best newcomer to the NFC North division:

"That’s why veteran head coach John Fox should have the biggest impact of anyone new to the NFC North this year. Fox has a history of turning things around quickly. In Carolina, he inherited a 1-15 team and went 7-9 in his first season and 11-5 in year two. In Denver, he took over a 4-12 team and went 8-8 in his first year and 13-3 in year two. If the Bears show a four- or five-win improvement, they might be a playoff team this year."

Fox’s ability to turnaround NFL franchises quickly is likely one of the reasons why the Bears pursued the former Denver Broncos’ head coach as soon as he became available. Considering the collapse the Bears had last season under Trestman, the veteran intellect of Fox is much needed for the Bears’ locker room.

Jeff Dickerson, who covers the Bears for ESPN, also pegged Fox as the best newcomer to the NFC North division:

"The Bears may not win the NFC North in 2015, but the organization is headed on the right path under Fox. It’s not often a head coach with such a track record of success becomes available. The Bears should send a fruit basket to Broncos general manager and executive vice president of football operations John Elway."

Fox’s impact on the Bears can not be overstated. The Bears, both on the field and in the locker room, were obliterated by having Trestman as their head coach over the course of the past two seasons. Fox is a veteran head coach that the Bears needed after their downfall with Trestman.

Ben Goessling, who covers the Minnesota Vikings for ESPN, anoints Bears’ rookie wide receiver Kevin White as the best newcomer to the division:

"It might turn out to be White with the Bears. He’s a great fit for Chicago’s offense, and should step into a big role, knowing how much Jay Cutler likes to focus on a few targets. White seems like he’ll be strong enough to handle physical coverage, and he’s got the size to go up and get the ball. We’ve seen rookie receivers take the league by storm in recent years; White could be that kind of player."

White is not expected to be the Bears’ primary wide receiver as that honor will go to Alshon Jeffery. Still, White is replacing veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall in the Bears’ offensive lineup. White was arguably the best wide receiver in the 2015 NFL Draft and the hope is he can create a wide receiving tandem with Jeffery that is among the best in the NFL.

Michael Rothstein, who covers the Detroit Lions for ESPN, penned Bears’ linebacker Pernell McPhee as the best newcomer to the division:

"In April, I wrote Chicago linebacker Pernell McPhee was the best newcomer in the division, and the draft and more free agency hasn’t changed that stance at all. With the Bears’ scheme-switching to a 3-4 defense, they needed a player like McPhee who can be versatile and be young enough to still grow within the system. He was the No. 2 outside linebacker in the NFL last season according to Pro Football Focus and he’ll fill an obvious need for the Bears."

McPhee is an important piece to the Bears’ defensive puzzle in 2015. McPhee has experience playing in a 3-4 defense with the Baltimore Ravens and that experience has put him in the position that he is currently in with the Bears. McPhee is entering full-time starting status for the first time in his career and appears to be knocking on the door to becoming an elite outside linebacker in the NFL.

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