Chicago sports top ten moments of 2015
Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears get a new coaching staff and new general manager
The Chicago Bears under Marc Trestman in 2014 became a hot mess. Players fighting among themselves, not listening to coaches, and Trestman and his assistants looking like deer caught in the headlights.
The Bears’ defense, always a symbol of pride for the team, was in shambles under Mel Tucker. They gave up multiple 50+ point-games.
The offense flourished under Trestman in his first season, but could not get anything done in his second. Jay Cutler lost confidence in his coaching staff, and he played like it.
The Chicago Bears were a circus.
For that reason, ownership decided to clean house. Not only were Trestman and his assistants shown the door, so was Phil Emery, the man who brought Trestman to Chicago.
The McCaskeys decided to hire Ryan Pace, a fresh-face who worked in the New Orleans Saints organization, as its new general manager.
They also hired veteran coach John Fox to lead the players.
Fox has a reputation for being no-nonsense, and building teams. He took the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos to the Super Bowl. He has the cache to command the respect of the players. No one in that locker room will ignore him.
Pace and Fox also hired some great minds to aid the team. Adam Gase was hired to be the offensive coordinator, and Vic Fangio was hired to be the defensive coordinator.
Both men are highly respected for their ability to get the best out of their players. Gase helped Peyton Manning as much as Manning helped him, and Fangio’s San Francisco 49ers’ defenses were some of the best in the NFL while he was there.
While the season has not been successful, the atmosphere appears to be completely different. There are a lot of holes on this roster, so not much was realistically expected.
One of the best results of the fresh attitude at Halas Hall is what Cutler has done this season. After leading the league in interceptions last season with 18, he has thrown just eight this season. That is his lowest total since 2011, when he had seven. He only played in ten games that year, however.
Cutler is having his finest season in Chicago. He has a great rapport with Gase, and it shows in his play.
As the Bears head into the offseason, they are armed with draft picks and money. They have nine draft picks ready to go, and Overthecap.com projects them to have over $55 million under the cap. There will be some players that will be released, so that number will go up even higher.
The Bears are on the right track. What they do this upcoming offseason may have them on this list next season for a better reason. Hopefully we can say the Monsters of the Midway are back.
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