Helfrich’s Importance to Trubisky, Urlacher Approves Nagy Hire, Risky Robinson, and Other Bullets

Jan 20, 2018

One of da most famous skits in SNL history debuted 27 years ago this month, my friends:

“Da Bears” skit debuted on Saturday Night Live in January of 1991.

27 years and runnin’. 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/hUyowknaNA

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 20, 2018

I have a feeling we’ll be talking about the wide receiver position for much of the offseason, at least until the Bears provide solutions to their biggest weakness on the offensive side of the ball. Free agency is months away, but BearsWire’s Bryan Perez already sees one player who might be a questionable fit in Chicago. Allen Robinson is entering his age 25 season and is just three years removed from a Pro Bowl campaign in which he caught 80 passes for 1,400 yards and hauled in 14 touchdowns. However, Robinson is coming off a non-contact ACL injury, which makes him a significant risk for a front office that can’t necessarily afford another high-profile miss in free agency.

If the Bears were to bring Robinson in the mix, even on a one-year “prove it” deal, it would mean the possibility of their receiving corps will feature three players coming off season-ending injuries from 2017. Chicago cycled through eight wide receivers last season as injuries an ineffective play handcuffed the passing offense. The Bears need improved production from the position, but also more availability. If Robinson gets a clean bill of health, he could be worth the risk having already proven he can put up big numbers despite catching passes from an inaccurate quarterback.

Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune writes that the Bears’ head coach and offensive coordinator aren’t expecting an overnight turnaround. The leaders of Chicago’s new offense have much to implement and install between now and when games matter. Mixing Matt Nagy’s West Coast concepts with the spread options and Air Coryell background Mark Helfrich was schooled in should ultimately lead to some more interesting football, but the transition might not be all that smooth.

No matter who the Bears add in the offseason, it would be unfair to expect a ridiculously fast rise to the top of the offensive charts. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t set high expectations, just know that there could be some bumps in the road along the way.

There was a time where Brian Urlacher would have preferred John Fox stick around for another year and see the completion of the Bears’ rebuild, but Phil Thompson of the Chicago Tribune notes the future Hall of Fame linebacker is on board with the Matt Nagy hire. The Bears must be doing something right to get the approval of a defensive legend to co-sign on the hiring of an offensive-leaning coach. Then again, Nagy kept the defensive hierarchy in tact and has added some Dave Toub disciples to the special teams room. It’s hard to feel bad about that.

Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times explains why Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio returned to the Bears, even though they chose not to hire him as the team’s next head coach. Because the Bears moved as quickly as they did to hire Nagy, Fangio’s free agency was one of the hottest stories of the early offseason. He weighed options from other teams, but never moved his stuff out of Halas Hall. In the end, Fangio’s challenging of a handful of returning players opened up a window on why he would be open to a reunion in the first place. Fangio knows he does good work and will get to show it all on his terms in 2018 as the singular voice of the defense.

On the other side of the ball, Bob LeGere of the Daily Herald analyzes the importance of hiring Mark Helfrich to lead the offense — even if it’s in job title alone. With Mitch Trubisky’s development being at the forefront of the Bears’ priorities moving forward, it was necessary to bring in a coach who was well-versed in coaching quarterbacks. Under the Bears’ new coaching hierarchy, the team has a head coach (Nagy) and offensive coordinator (Helfrich) teaming with the returning quarterbacks coach (Dave Ragone) who will have their hands on molding the most important player on the field. It’s similar to what the Rams put in place for Jared Goff and what the Eagles pieced together for Carson Wentz. Here’s hoping the results in development are similar.

Some additional details regarding the hiring of Assistant Special Teams Coach Brock Olivo from the Bears’ official website. Olivo is well-traveled, having spent time as an assistant coaching up running backs and special teams at Coastal Carolina (2012-13) and in the United Football League (2011), and was a head coach and offensive coordinator in pro American football leagues in Italy. Olivo’s background is eclectic, to say the least.

There’s also this video from when Olivo took over as the leader of the Broncos’ special teams that was unearthed by Adam Hoge from WGN Radio via the Denver Broncos’ official Twitter page:

The #Bears hired Brock Olivo as their assistant special teams coach. #KillIt https://t.co/r7LSTBOTDk

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) January 20, 2018

Well, let’s do it then! 🤘

See more » https://t.co/9AvcvEScaQ pic.twitter.com/Wcj3QrCnEF

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) February 8, 2017

The further I step back from the Nagy hiring, the better I feel as the Bears’ coaching staff as a whole. I don’t have a crystal ball to tell me whether I’ll be right or wrong, but isn’t that the fun in this? Nagy was able to maintain continuity on defense (Vic Fangio) and with Trubisky’s position coach (Dave Ragone). He also attempted to recapture some of the Dave Toub magic by hiring one two of his former assistants (Olivo, Chris Tabor) and both have experience as a team’s top special teams coach. Offensively, he paired his offensive mind with another experienced quarterback developer. We’ve touched upon the idea that good processes yield positive results. So far, there isn’t much to complain about regarding this process.

written by

Luis C. Medina

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

Chicago Bears

Welcome to the Caleb Williams Era of Chicago Bears Football

In a few hours, the Chicago Bears will have a new franchise quarterback, Caleb Williams. He'll be the best quarterback prospect they've ever welcomed into Halas Hall. There are many reasons why I believe that drafting Williams is a no-brainer,...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Oh? The Rams Reportedly Want to Trade into the Top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft

If you're looking for chaos on NFL Draft day, you just might get it. And leave it to the script-writers to get a team out in Hollywood involved. Here is a scoop from The Athletic's Dianna Russini, who hears the...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

We Could See 6 Quarterbacks Go in Round 1 of the NFL Draft

NFL Draft followers seem to have settled on four quarterbacks going somewhere in the top 10 picks. Many appear to think that we could get a draft with quarterbacks going 1, 2, 3, 4 in succession at the top. Others...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Running Backs and Linebackers

The 2024 NFL Draft begins TODAY. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos....

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Cornerbacks and Safeties

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Final Bears Draft Predictions & Dream Scenarios For The 1st Round

We've been talking about this day since the Bears' 0-4 start to last season, and it's finally here. It's NFL Draft day. We know it'll be Caleb Williams at first overall, but what direction will the Bears go with the...

Matt Rooney

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Rome Odunze and Caleb Williams Have Discussed What It Would Be Like to be Bears Teammates

If the Chicago Bears end up drafting Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze, I imagine this tweet from Tom Pelissero is going to get a ton of engagement: https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1782905425689522654 In fairness, it already has gotten all sorts of clicks. But that...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Final 2024 NFL Mock Draft: How Will The 1st Round Unfold In Detroit?

Draft Day is finally here! We've taken quite a few cracks at what the first round could look like, and this will be the last one before the NFL Draft kicks off tonight! It still feels like a really unpredictable...

Matt Rooney

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Defensive Linemen

The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos....

Luis C. Medina

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams Shares Who He’d Take With the No. 9 Pick

The Chicago Bears drafting Caleb Williams with the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is a foregone conclusion. However, what happens with the Bears' other first-round pick is anything but a lock. One name we haven't discussed much as...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Oh? The Rams Reportedly Want to Trade into the Top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals Series April 26-28: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

A three-game series featuring the Detroit Tigers and the visiting Kansas City Royals will start on Friday, April 26 at 1:10 PM ET.Tigers vs. Royals Series Info Royals @ Tigers Time: Friday, April 26 at 1:10 PM ET Tigers Starting...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

We Could See 6 Quarterbacks Go in Round 1 of the NFL Draft

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Cornerbacks and Safeties

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

NFL

Dallas Cowboys 2024 NFL Draft Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits Including Tackle and WR

The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2024 offseason with the familiar feeling of championship aspirations. Dak Prescott is healthy, the skill positions are loaded, but the offensive line, once a strength, is in flux. With the 24th overall pick in the...

Brian Twining

Apr 25, 2024

Betting

2024 MLB Mock Draft: Wake Forest Dominates First Round

With the invigorating spirit of a new baseball season upon us, igniting hope and anticipation within fan communities, it's the perfect time to embark on a unique exploration: a 2024 MLB Mock Draft. Numerous mock drafts meticulously analyze potential player...

Matt Rooney

Apr 25, 2024

How to Watch

76ers vs. Knicks: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Philadelphia 76ers will go up against the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs.These teams match up for the second straight game after the Knicks took down the 76ers 104-101 on Monday....

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Donovan Mitchell Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, Donovan Mitchell needs to make four from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Cleveland Cavaliers face the Orlando Magic in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, beginning at 7:00 PM...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Caris LeVert Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

At 7:00 PM ET on Thursday, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Orlando Magic -- with Caris LeVert needing to score just once from beyond the arc to...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Josh Hart Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the 76ers – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, Josh Hart needs to make two from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his New York Knicks play the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, starting at 7:30...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Helfrich’s Importance to Trubisky, Urlacher Approves Nagy Hire, Risky Robinson, and Other Bullets

Read More

more bears news

Latest News

more bears news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular