Go For It On Fourth Fan Preview 2018: The Chicago Bears

Go For It On Fourth Fan Preview 2018: The Chicago Bears

Yep, I know this is late - been a busy time lately.

For my half of the Go For It On Fourth preview for the 2018 NFL season, I decided to ask fans of every team questions about how they think their team will do this season. Instead of asking just one fan per team, I decided to get as many fans as I could involved. For some teams, that was several. For some teams, that was just one fan. But we very much appreciate everyone who got involved in our Preview for the 2018 Season!

Representing the Chicago Bears:

Paul, Wigan
Brett, Saint Simons Islands, Georgia @bhhelm
Luke, South Wales
Daniel, Long Eaton, @b16dan
Ian, Sunderland
Simon, Hull

Note: All responders answered before the Khalil Mack trade was announced.

First off, sum up last season for us.

Paul: Last season was painful at times, we have a young team and that was being held back by John Fox.

Brett: 19 weeks of waiting for the other shoe to drop. Fox was toast, everyone knew it, and the quality of play showed it.

Dan: Awful season with a few bright moments.

Ian: Another disappointment. Worst of all was losing to a Green Bay team who were missing Aaron Rodgers.

Simon: Last season was a mixture of emotions for me, paying and starting Glennon was never the way forward when drafting a QB in the first round. Highlights were Tarik Cohen’s explosiveness and Mitch’s ability under pressure. We lost a lot of our games by one score and I feel we’re not far from finding the missing pieces to compete for the NFC North.

How was your offseason?

Paul: This offseason has brought many new changes, so far Trey Burton has impressed me a lot and hopefully Roquan Smith plays to the level he’s capable of.

Brett: Typical Bears, one or two possible good adds, but nothing that will be a gamechanger.

Luke: Outstanding.

Dan: Off season went well but the proof will be in winning some games and playing well, lots of money spent and new faces brought in. Something the Bears don't usually do and aren't hugely successful at.

Ian: Offseason has been ok but I don’t really pay too much mind to the pre-season games, as long as we don’t suffer injuries then I’m fine.

Simon: Thought our draft was really good, Roquan Smith has finally signed his contract and I’m really excited to see Anthony Miller in action.

Key additions from free agency and the Draft?

Brett: Roquan Smith is a beast, but one LB isnt fixing a mediocre defense. Allen Robinson is a good receiver, but the offense has too many question marks.

Luke: Allen Robinson, Trey Burton, Roquan Smith, Anthony Miller.

Dan: Allen Robinson. Taylor Gabriel from free agency. Need an improvement from WR. 2 of the best brought in with FA. Draft wise. Miller as above. Weak at WR. We may have difficulties cutting one with all the new additions. Daniels good to be getting younger in the line. Dropped in draft. Smith. Just what we need on Defence. A solid sideline to sideline beast. Possibly hampered by the holdout. Hopeful Kylie Fitts can provide a little pass rush. Looked ok in gotta and starts preseason.

Ian: Linebacker Roquon Smith from Georgia should fit in lovely with Danny Trevathon and free agent signing Aaron Lynch. But keeping Prince Amukamara at corner could also be huge.

Simon: From FA I’m looking forward to seeing how Lynch adjusts to a new scheme.

What's your hopes for this coming season?

Paul: My hope for the season is for this young team to show how talented they really are, hopefully Trubisky takes the next step and the defence proves to be a top 10 unit.

Brett: .500 is doable, anything above that would be great.

Luke: Making the playoffs.

Dan: Hoping to be knocking on playoff doors if ultimately unsuccessful. 8-8 would be a result after the last few years. 10-6, 11-5 would be amazing.

Ian: It’s still a rebuilding process but if we can get close to 8-8 I’d be extremely happy.

Simon: My hopes for the coming season are as they are always 😂 SUPERBOWL! However, realistically I would be happy with a 10-6 season (and doing the double on the Packers).

What's your thoughts on your starting quarterback?

Paul: I really like Trubisky, his situation last year wasn’t great for a rookie, our offensive coordinator and head coach were terrible and thankfully they’ve both been fired.

Brett: He is capable, but not a franchise/elite level talent. Looking for seriously awkward growing pains now that the league has studied him.

Luke: Potential and personnel around him to have a huge second year.

Dan: Mitch T-biscuit. Young big athletic good arm. Going to be some more growing pains this yr. Lack of pro experience. Lack of college experience. New system. Seems to have command and respect of the team. Talks the talk. Could very well break most Bears QB records.

Ian: I’m still on the fence about him if I’m honest. I really wanted to draft Deshaun Watson instead last year and I can see him having a great 2018.

Simon: Big fan of Trubisky, he’s versatility is brilliant and he opens up options at the position with his ability to run, I can’t remember the last time we used read option before he came in.

And your thoughts on your head coach?

Paul: I really liked the Matt Nagy hire, I see Trubisky as a younger version of Alex Smith, so hopefully he can get the most out of Mitch this season.

Brett: Anything had to be an upgrade. Nagy is a gamble worth taking.

Luke: Young, exiting and offensive minded. Hopefully a long a successful future under him.

Dan: New head coach. I know nothing about him other than what I've read. If he can be as successful as others from the Reid coaching tree then bears could be good to watch. Fun, too.

Ian: Very happy. It was time for a change and to have an offensive minded coach along with a young QB could be huge.

Simon: Matt Nagy is new to the bears and I just hope his scheme sits well with the players, and I think he’ll work really well with Trubisky.

A player that will be key for you this season?

Paul: Akiem Hicks is key for us defensively, I may be biased but he’s the most underrated defensive lineman in the NFL, on his day he’s unblockable.

Brett: Howard.

Luke: Akiem Hicks.

Dan: Trubisky. It all goes through him. 

Ian: Jordan Howard. Really hoping he can go near 1600 yards.

Simon: Jordan Howard will be key for us this season, as well as Trey Burton. We have to establish a solid run game early to open up our deep threats later in the season, especially after picking up Gabriel.

And who would you happily drive to their next club?

Paul: I’d pay somebody to take Marcus Cooper off our hands, he’s terrible and if you’ve seen his blunder last season vs the Steelers, then you’ll understand.

Brett: The roster is filled with midlevel talent, but no real issues.

Luke: Nobody just yet.

Dan: I'd happily drive the strength and conditioning team elsewhere due to the amount of injuries these last few years but think they all got changed this off season. White would be easy to say due to his easily injured body. But gonna be controversial. Floyd. Too lightweight. Easily injured. No consistency.

Ian: I’ll drive WR Kevin White to the airport if he suffers another injury but fingers crossed for the lad this season.

Simon: Marcus Cooper Sr, he has shown some poor coverage ability in both Man and Zone.

What made you choose to support your team?

Paul: Growing up I was a big basketball fan and loved Michael Jordan, he played for the Chicago Bulls, so when a group of friends and I got into the NFL, I thought I’d stay in the same city.

Brett: Born and raised just outside the city limits.

Luke: Brian Urlacher being the best player on my first Madden game.

Dan: Watched Super Bowl 18 I think. Enjoyed the game. Read lots in the off-season which back then wasn’t a lot. Chose Da Bears. Seemed to be my kind of team. Tough D. Strong Running game.

Ian: I started supporting the Bears due to QB Jim McMahon and his cool headband. Been with them ever since. Some good times, mostly bad.

Simon: Brian Urlacher and Devin Hester made me choose the bears, I loved the pair of them they just had something different, exciting.

For a first-time NFL fan, tell us some reasons why they should support your team?

Paul: For me if I was trying to get a newcomer to support the Bears I’d show them footage of the 1985 team, they are still known to be one of if not the best defence ever!

Brett: Take a flyer on a team that could be relevant soon. Then you can diss the bandwagon fans if we get hot.

Luke: History, most players in the HOF.

Dan: Da Bears are gonna explode. This year or next. High powered Offense. Solid Defense which will be added to in next year’s draft.

Simon: The Bears have a big UK following and a rich history, with the ‘85 Bears still referred to as one of, if not the, most dominant NFL teams.

Compare your team to a European football club.

Paul: To compare the Bears to a European football club it would have to be Liverpool, both working class cities and both teams had their best success in the 80’s.

Brett: No idea, futbol is not my forte.

Luke: Tottenham.

Dan: European football club would be Arsenal. Rich history and tradition but ultimately doomed to fail.

Ian: If I’m to compare the Bears to a European football club, I’ll say my hometown club Sunderland. Huge club, great support but so many times they let you down on the field, but hopes are high that the corner will be turned soon. New coach/manager at the helm and positive vibes around both teams for a change.

Simon: Bears would be comparable to Chelsea a few years back, rarely winning or losing by great margins.

What's the best-case scenario for you this season?

Paul: Best case scenario for the bears is everything on offence clicks and the defence becomes dominant, not to forget the injury bug which has haunted us the past couple of years, (if that) stays away, then this team could be an outsider for the playoffs.

Brett: Win a few and compete for a wildcard deep into the season.

Luke: Mitch has a similar second year to Jared Goff.

Dan: Playoffs. Wild Card.

Ian: Best case scenario for this season I really think would be beat the Packers and go close to 8-8. It’s a rebuilding process and it may take a couple more years to hit the playoffs.

Simon: Best case, Nagy’s offence fits perfectly with Trubisky, Roquan Smith is an absolute force at MLB and we dominate all the way to the Super Bowl.

And what's the worst-case scenario?

Paul: Worst case however is that the offence doesn’t gel and the defence regresses and then this team could easily go 3-13 or 4-12.

Brett: Another round of injuries, and another high draft pick.

Luke: All the new offensive pieces fail to gel.

Dan: 2 injuries and 3-13 season.

Ian: 3-13, Trubisky is a bust, still can’t find a Field Goal kicker and another case of starting again.

Simon: Worst case, as in previous years our conditioning is poor and we’re riddled with injuries, the scheme doesn’t fit and we flop.

Can Jordan Howard become an elite running back in the NFL?

Paul: For me Jordan Howard is a great running back, however these days to be elite you need to be able to catch the ball consistently, which Jordan struggles with. Also, he lacks elite speed.

Brett: He is an elite running back.

Luke: 100%.

Dan: Howard is shown very little respect. He already is Elite. Played against stacked boxes for 2 years and rushed for over 1000 yds each season. This year with a passing game to pull defenders away I expect the same. Possibly leading NFL rusher. Still he won't get any love from pundits.

Ian: I think Howard is already close to elite. Huge year for him as well. 1600 yards and 10 touchdowns and he could be looking at a huge new deal next year.

Predict your record for this season, and how far (if at all) you will go in the postseason.

Paul: All being said I see this Bears team finishing 7-9 in the upcoming season.

Brett: 9-7, no playoffs.

Luke: 10-6, championship game.

Dan: 10-6. Possibly Wild Card. Won't make the conference champs.

Ian: 7-9 this season. No playoffs but a positive outlook for the following year.

Simon: If I’m being critical, I think 9-7 is realistic, if not a little optimistic. We only make the playoffs if we find a way to shut down Rodgers and the Vikings D, I think best case we finish 3rd in the division.

Tell us who you think will be lifting the Lombardi Trophy in Atlanta on February 3rd next year?

Paul: My pick for the Super Bowl will be the Los Angeles Rams.

Brett: Hate to say it, Patriots.

Luke: Rams.

Dan: Rams.

Ian: I’m predicting a Rams v Texans Super Bowl with Deshaun Watson lifting the trophy.

Simon: I think Jacksonville could have a real shot this year, if not Jacksonville then maybe the Texans! (Ignoring Philly and New England as they’re clearly going to contend).

NB: I got a couple of thoughts post the Mack trade:

Luke: Not sure mate, other than wow haha

Ian: Khalil Mack. Optimism is much higher now. Him and Trevathon are gonna be laying their mits on a lot of QBs this season

8-8 this season now. Playoffs next year.