Bears Return to Halas Hall, Enthusiasm for Nagy, Burton’s Upside, and Other Bullets

Apr 03, 2018

They’re baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack:

#DaBears are back. pic.twitter.com/j8IRO0bZVW

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 3, 2018

Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times sets the scene at Halas Hall as the Bears began their offseason training program on Tuesday. It’s a different look from when we last saw the Bears with a new head coach, new training staff, and a handful of new players all coming together for the first time under one roof. Though, as Potash points out, there is something fitting about Nagy’s introduction to players at Halas Hall featuring a pair of injured stars on the mend in guard Kyle Long and receiver Allen Robinson. Both are expected to be key cogs of the offense in 2018, so here’s hoping for better health in 2018 for everyone at Halas Hall.

Hope springs eternal for the Bears, as Potash describes the “leaguewide enthusiasm” that has surrounded Nagy’s hire “seems a bit unusual.” No argument here. Dissenting opinions regarding Nagy have been mostly limited to those who would have preferred a different candidate than the one the Bears hired. Other than that, Nagy has earned praise across the NFL landscape, from his former boss Andy Reid to new Minnesota Vikings OC John DeFilippo, who was among the candidates who interviewed for the gig and was ultimately a runner up.

Seriously. It’s everywhere:

Kyle Long was standing in the family room with Travis Kelce after their brothers won the NFC Championship, and said Kelce hit him and said "Oh, you guys have Nagy now. You’re gonna be awesome."
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) April 3, 2018

Let’s circle back to Reid for a moment. Joel Thorman of SB Nation’s Arrowhead Pride writes the long-time NFL coach saw changes on his coaching staff coming from a mile away. The Chiefs have lost two offensive coordinators in three years to head coaching jobs, and a third could be on the way if the newly appointed Eric Bieniemy follows in the footsteps of Nagy and Doug Pederson. “I knew Eric Bieniemy was continuing to develop and I told him a year ago to make sure that his pass game stuff was evolving towards quarterbacks and not just staying in that box with the running backs and the o-line,” Reid said. “Which I had been told as an assistant with Mike Holmgren.”

In his interview with The MMQB’s Peter King (which we discussed here), Nagy made note of Reid’s ability to draw greatness from his assistant coaches by creating an inviting work environment where all ideas were welcome and bounced around the room. If Nagy can bring that kind of nurturing atmosphere to Chicago, it could help him follow in Pederson’s footsteps as the next successful branch off the Reid coaching tree.

I bet Trey Burton becoming a scoring machine would help matters a bit:

Trey Burton brings some efficient production with him to Chicago. pic.twitter.com/UMeHzR3Q7e

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) April 3, 2018

How good can Mitch Trubisky be in Nagy’s offense? We’ll find out in due time. Over at Pro Football Focus, Sam Monson offers up his thoughts on that storyline and the other most important ones surrounding the teams in the NFC North. Trubisky figures to have at least three new skill position players on the offense with him this year, and a fourth could come via the return of receiver Cameron Meredith. A fifth new face to the offense could also come by way of the draft, as the team still hasn’t plugged the hole it created when it decided not to pick up the third-year option on guard Josh Sitton.

Around the NFL writer Marc Sessler also has a breakdown of the changes around the NFC North, which are plentiful. Sessler pegs tight end Trey Burton as the biggest sleeper addition and projects to be an important presence in the new-look Bears passing game. No, Burton isn’t going to be Kelce, but he’ll serve in the role as the team’s “U” tight end where he’ll get plenty of opportunities to make plays – especially if Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel are drawing attention on the outside.

One nugget not directly related to the Bears from Sessler’s piece was his pinpointing of Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon was the biggest loss in the division. McKinnon was a reserve who was given an increase in playing time when Dalvin Cook suffered an unfortunate season-ending knee injury. Once Cook returns to full strength, the Vikings won’t feel McKinnon’s presence. So … where is the big loss again?

For my money, the biggest loss in the division is Bears related and it has to do with the team parting ways with Josh Sitton. The veteran guard was a Pro Bowl performer when healthy and an important piece to the offensive line puzzle. It was just last offseason when the Bears were lauded for having one of the strongest interior lines in football, which was supposed to help Jordan Howard repeat his 1,300-yard rushing performance in Year 2 and aid in Mike Glennon feeling comfortable throwing in the pocket.

Neither of those things came to fruition, but Howard still ran for 1,000 yards. Part of the Bears’ offensive issues had to do with injuries on the line that set off a chain reaction that was impossible to stop. Sitton, who struggled to stay on the field at times, was part of those problems. The Bears might have done the prudent thing in letting Sitton go, especially if you’re a believer in the concept that it’s better to let a guy go a year too early than a year too late. Heck, the team definitely did right by Sitton in making the call on his third-year option early enough to allow him a chance to explore the open market. Still, the Bears are now stuck needing to fill a need along the offensive line and could be left hoping the draft’s best lineman prospect falls to them at No. 8.

The Bears were busy making some offseason signings official, including long snapper Patrick Scales and running back Benny Cunningham. Newcomer Earl Watford’s signing was also made official, and he seems pretty geeked about the opportunity:

I am very excited to start this next chapter with the @ChicagoBears This is gonna be FUN! #BearDown

— Earl Watford (@EWatts78) April 3, 2018

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

What About Byron Murphy II as a Bears Target With the No. 9 Pick?

I'm starting to wonder if maybe University of Texas star Byron Murphy II fits the bill as a Chicago Bears draft target.. In his latest at NBC Sports Chicago, Bears insider Josh Schrock wonders if Chicago's football team could be...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Bears

One Pundit Thinks Trading Up to Draft Joe Alt Makes Sense For the Bears

The idea of the Chicago Bears drafting a butt-kicking offensive tackle is something that continues to pop up. Perhaps Notre Dame's Joe Alt is something on the team's radar. NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah opines Alt could be someone...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 3-Round Mock Draft: Exploring Potential Picks To Surround Caleb Williams

The winds of change are howling through Halas Hall. After years (decades) of searching, the Chicago Bears appear set to finally land their franchise quarterback, Caleb Williams, with the top overall pick. This signals a new era for the Bears, but the...

Ryan Noonan

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Bears

Draft Day is Coming, NFC North QB Prospect Watch, Crews, Warren, and Other Bears Bullets

The Chicago Cubs finished a winning road trip with a series win against the defending NL champs. Taylor Swift has a new album that drops at 11 p.m. CT. And the Chicago Bears will usher in a new quarterback era...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Bears

2024 NFL Mock Draft: How Will Quarterback Chaos Unfold In First Round?

Only one week remains until the biggest event of the NFL offseason — the 2024 NFL Draft. Caleb Williams is going first overall unless something totally unexpected happens. But outside of that, there are still so many questions left to...

Matt Rooney

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears Mock Draft Trade Proposals Seem to Target One Particular Position

I had a great visit with my therapist today. Between that and an afternoon cold brew, I've got enough in me to power through an evening Bears post. Let's dig into some recent mock drafts that are giving off a...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Bears

Sounds Like the Bears Will Consider Taking Brock Bowers If They Stay at No. 9

For all the discussion about the big three wide receivers who could be on the Chicago Bears radar on NFL Draft weekend, a different high-profile pass-catcher is apparently garnering some interest from the team. All-American tight end Brock Bowers had...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Bears

Bears Hire Ted Crews as Special Advisor to President Kevin Warren

The Chicago Bears continue building out their organizational staff around President Kevin Warren. And their latest addition arrives to Halas Hall with three Super Bowl rings in tow. The team announced the hiring of Ted Crews, who has spent the...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Bears

I Don’t Hate Trading Up, Cairo Reaches Out, Jed Chimes In, and Other Bears Bullets

Maybe it's just me, but Wednesdays are starting to feel like the new Mondays. Ick. There are just 8 days until the 2024 NFL Draft. We're almost there, friends. We've almost made it. The best pre-draft stat you'll see comes...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 17, 2024

Johnny newton Illinois Illini bears draft target

Chicago Bears

The Bears Had Eyes on Illini DT Johnny Newton Today

Even though the Chicago Bears have plugged several notable holes this offseason, one biggie remains. And it leaves me to ask a pertinent question: Who wants to play the 3-technique defensive tackle role? Perhaps Illinois' Johnny Newton is the answer....

Luis C. Medina

Apr 16, 2024

Picks

Reds vs. Angels Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

The Cincinnati Reds (9-9) hope to avoid their fourth straight defeat when they host the Los Angeles Angels (9-10) Friday at 6:40 PM ET on BSOH. The Reds are listed as -124 favorites to snap their losing skid, while the...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

Coming off of a 3-1 series win over the Red Sox, the Cleveland Guardians (13-6) are -169 favorites to pick up the win in Game 1 of a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics (8-11). The series begins at Progressive...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Pirates vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

The Boston Red Sox (10-10) are the underdogs on the moneyline (-105) in Friday's contest versus the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8). The game starts at 6:40 PM ET on SportsNet PT. The Red Sox are favored against the spread in this...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Astros vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

Jose Altuve, batting .388 this season, leads the Houston Astros (6-14) into a matchup with Jesse Winker (.364 AVG) and the Washington Nationals (8-10). The Astros are -166 favorites on the moneyline for the matchup at Nationals Park, beginning at...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Phillies vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

The Philadelphia Phillies (11-8) and Kyle Schwarber (2 HR in his last game) are favored (-182) on the moneyline for their matchup with the Chicago White Sox (3-15) on Friday at 6:40 PM ET on NBCS-PH.Spencer Turnbull takes the mound...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Yankees vs. Rays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

Amed Rosario will look to extend his 10-game hitting streak when the Tampa Bay Rays (11-9) take on the New York Yankees (13-6). The Yankees are listed as -162 favorites on the moneyline for the contest, which starts at 7:05...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Braves vs. Rangers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

Two of the league's top power hitters meet Friday when the Atlanta Braves (12-5) and Texas Rangers (11-9) take the field at 7:20 PM ET, live on Apple TV+. Marcell Ozuna has eight home runs for the Braves (-203 favorites...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

MLB Prop Bets

Orioles vs. Royals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 19

After winning four games in a row, the Baltimore Orioles (12-6) play on the road against the Kansas City Royals (12-7) at 7:40 PM ET on Friday.The Orioles will give the ball to Dean Kremer (0-1, 4.96 ERA), who is...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

MLB Prop Bets

Brewers vs. Cardinals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 19

The St. Louis Cardinals (9-10) kick off a three-game series on Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers (11-6). The matchup begins at 8:15 PM ET at Busch Stadium.The Brewers will look to Freddy Peralta (2-0) against the Cardinals and Kyle Gibson...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

MLB Prop Bets

Twins vs. Tigers Probable Starting Pitchers – April 19

The Detroit Tigers (10-9) begin a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins (6-11) on Friday at Target Field. First pitch is at 8:10 PM.The Twins will look to Joe Ryan (0-1) against the Tigers and Jack Flaherty (0-1).Twins vs. Tigers...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Bears Return to Halas Hall, Enthusiasm for Nagy, Burton’s Upside, and Other Bullets

Read More

more bears news

Latest News

more bears news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular