Newton’s Fall, Pagano Really Likes Watson, Staley’s Rise, Watt Wants Portillo’s, and Other Bears Bullets

If anyone needs me, I’ll be playing Taylor Swift’s Evermore album on loop all day.

•   Terry Bradshaw said he watched “some of the worst” “boringest” offense he’s ever seen … and he wasn’t talking about the Bears:

•   The Patriots’ receiving corps is whack, so I’ll give you that. But an offense led by Cam Newton and orchestrated by Josh McDaniels shouldn’t look like this. Admittedly, I’m not totally up with what’s going down in New England, but this year has been quite the disappointment for a great many reasons. Ah, well … tough break. There’s no rest for the weary and no pity for a dynasty at the end of its rope.

•   Because he is one of the most dynamic and charismatic players I’ve ever seen, I hope this isn’t the beginning of the end for Cam Newton. His stat line since returning from the Reserve/COVID-19 list: 65.2% completion rate, 1,458 yards (162 yards per game), 3 TD, 8 INT, 74.3 passer rating. Newton does have 78 rushes, 302 yards, and 7 TD in that time. But it’s gone downhill over the last nine games. My gut says he’ll get another shot, but the recent numbers suggest we’re seeing one of the most entertaining quarterbacks to do it nearing his end.

•   Transitioning while on the topic of quarterbacks Bears fans wanted, but never landed, Chuck Pagano really likes Deshaun Watson:

•   Based on the last few weeks of defending the pass, I think I’d rather have one of those extra dudes back in coverage. I mean, that is if the league even allows Pagano’s proposal. Make it happen, Chuck. We’re all rooting for you!

•   Speaking of defensive coordinators we’re rooting for:

•   I’m more bothered that the Bears let a good defensive coordinator (and a potential head-coaching candidate) like Brandon Staley walk away after the 2018 season than I am about watching Leonard Floyd walk, then star for the Rams. Chicago was going to be crunched against the cap with Floyd’s fifth-year option. And there was an argument to be made that the team could’ve been better served upgrading the pass-rush opposite of Khalil Mack. But the mistake wasn’t letting Floyd go. It was more about how they re-allocated the funds upon his departure. With desperate needs at quarterback and offensive line, the Bears signed Robert Quinn. Ultimately, that could be the final nail the seals GM Ryan Pace’s fate.

•   To be clear, I liked what Robert Quinn potentially brought to the table. The track record is what it is. But the needs at offensive line and quarterback are still there. So not only does Pace have to still fill those voids, he’ll need to do so while navigating Quinn’s mega-deal. Or maybe he won’t because he won’t be here? Four more games must come and go before we fully dive into that discussion.

•   Pain:

•   If the Bears pull the plug on the Pace era, perhaps checking in on the Bills tree isn’t a bad idea after the team extended GM Brandon Beane:

•   Perhaps Lake Dawson, who interviewed with the Bears back in 2015 for the GM gig vacated when Phil Emery was fired, could be a target? Dawson was the Titans Vice President of Player Personnel at the time. Leaving Tennessee in 2015, Dawson has thrived as the Bills’ Assistant Director of College Scouting. In addition to his front office work, Dawson played four seasons with the Chiefs after being picked in Round 3 of the 1994 NFL Draft. Just a name to throw out there for future reference.

•   There was a moment in which I was really looking forward to the DeAndre Carter revenge game angle. Carter won’t play because he’s on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

•   For your listening pleasure:

•   I am exactly the same person as JJ Watt in every way:

•   The rook is GOOD:

•   I love art:

https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1337426922725400577

•   If you’re from Chicago, then you already know:

•   Well, then …

•   Congrats to all nominees:

•   A very 2020 headline:

•   Da Bulls are back, and much has changed since they last played:

written by

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.

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