I’m sure Poles has had conversations or keeps a list of all the top coaching candidates in case he fires Flus. Pretty sure this is something every GM in the league does if their coach has won 7 games in 2 years.

That’s funny I was just looking at some defensive rankings through 12 games.

• Bears are 3rd in the NFL now in interceptions
• 1st in rushing yards allowed per game
• 1st in yards per carry allowed at 3.4 ypg
• Top 5 in rushing TDs allowed
• 12th in forced fumbles
• 10th in total yards allowed per game
• Still bottom 5 in points allowed per game
• Also last in the NFL in sacks despite not having a bye week yet.
• Bears have recorded 2 or more sacks in every game sweat has started so far outside of the Saints game. Also were top 10 in pressure generated against Lions and Vikings OLs which are both considered top 5-10 groups.

Players signed next year. (or assumed)

• Edge Sweat, Walker, DRob
• DT Billings, Dexter, Pickens
• LB Edwards, Edmunds, Sanborn, Sewell
• CB Jaylon, Stevenson, Gordon, Smith
• Safety Brisker Jackson Hicks.

I think we could easily pay a Danielle Hunter or Chase Young or even. Bryce Huff, draft or pay another DT for the rotation, cut Eddie, sign a Geno Stone type and draft a guy and have a top 10 defense. Easy to see foundations being built on both sides with key pieces at premium positions.

Flus wins the next 5 games making the playoffs as a wildcard and the defense consistently performs as a top 10 unit as players continue to develop. You could sell me on that, finishing 9-8, firing getsy and hiring a Bienemy type as OC given the Poles connection from KC. It won’t happen, but I’d understand keeping Flus at that point at least

I think this is a position (like safety) we sign a solid veteran player on a 2 year deal we can get out of after 1 and draft a guy in the 3rd or 4th.

For veterans I think Connor Williams, Cushenberry, Biadaaz, or Evan Brown make sense.

Out of that list I’d say Evan Brown fits Poles previous tendencies the best, elite athlete has played well at C and both guard spots, more of a 2nd wave type guy

For centers there are 2 -3 who should go in the mid 2nd to mid 4th range, so I imagine we’d also take a guy there.

Just for some notes on Chicago. Braxton Jones has only allowed 1 QB hit all year. He’s not just been a good pass blocker, he’s been great. I would absolutely be shocked at this point if we went tackle given how good him and our rookie Darnell wright have been.

As of today I think they’d take Williams at 1, try to trade back or take a WR or edge with their 2nd pick, and trade fields for a 2nd.

Got to Poles apologist, pretty much stopped from there

Jon Greenberg is the founding editor of the athletic and has been a Reporter for like 20 years. While this is his fanfic, it’s not a random person at least.

Players on bad teams almost never get the recognition they deserve. Roquans has been a top 3-5 LB the last 3 seasons, but playing a non premium position on a bad team limits your recognition.

He’s kind of like the Chris Lindstrom of offensive players. Elite guy for the last few years on a bad team at what most consider a non -premium position l.

Here’s the big moves that I see us doing as of 11/16 and reasoning why.

• I think ESB gets another 1 year deal, Jaylon gets franchised/extended. Mooney likely signs somewhere else. This is likely to be a new coaching staff so could see ESB gone too.

• We sign one big edge. My guess would be Danielle hunter or chase young if young isn’t extended in SF.

• We sign a solid center. My best guess is Evan Brown. He’s good, not great, elite ras, and can play both C and guard spots. Elite athletes with positional flexibility are traits poles has liked. He fits well and won’t break the bank. This is a spot we pair with a 3rd or early 4th round guy.

• We sign a solid Free safety after Eddie is cut to save money. Lot of options here, won’t even imagine who it is. But similar to center I see us drafting a guy in the 3rd/4th and signing a solid 2nd/3rd wave guy to play for a year or so while he develops.

• QB drafted with our first pick, WR with our second first rounder. Fields traded for a 2nd.

• BPA in the 2nd likely to be OL or DL.

• a 3 and 2 4s turn into a Center, safety, and a 2nd drafted wr.

Depth in the 5th and later.

I actually think we’re a slightly better team than our record shows. Should be in the 4-5 win range rather than 3. Below highlights that point a bit. I wouldn’t be surprised if we won 3 of our next 7 (or 0 of our next 7 given how inconsistent we can be).

https://twitter.com/arjunmenon100/status/1724536363008327886?t=KjCIwv-gcFv6UQTWDpNhSQ&s=1

Here are some other teams with 3 wins or less last year after week 10 and where they ended up.

• Bears (#1 pick)
• Lions (almost made playoffs)
• Texans (#2 pick)
• Jaguars (won a playoff game)
• Steelers (almost made playoffs)

I think everyone in this sub agrees Fields causes a lot of his own sacks. I’d say a lot of this is also OL getting better with Braxton back and Jenkins on the right side. I also think Bagent does a good job getting the ball out quicker than other QBs and limiting negative plays, but of course with that we lack explosive plays which fields has been able to create at a high level.

I am interested to see what it looks like this week with Davis back too.

As of today I think it’s worth whichever QB we like most.

With the hope fields balls out rest of season and we feel absolutely 100% confident we don’t need a QB, it becomes a debate of just take MHJ or move back.

For me the trade out would need to be similar to Panthers but with an elite defender keeping us in the top 5. Something like the below using todays draft spots as an example.

• To 3 with giants would be pick 3, 35 and Dexter Lawrence for pick 1.

• To 4 with Patriots is picks 4, 36, 25 and 26 1sts.

• Assuming raiders in top 10, it’d be there pick + a 2[ND + Maxx Crosby.

If you’re reading this thinking, no chance they do that, I don’t fully disagree I also never thought a team would trade DJ Moore last offseason, so that’s what the Convo would become to me. An elite defender + picks to get the elite QB prospect.

Honestly though you’d have to really sell me to not just take MHJ in today’s NFL. Generational wr prospect that can be a Chicago bear the next decade. Just take the grandslam off the tee when it’s given.

As it stands today I’d say so. I feel the 3 big issues for the bears so far this season have been below, rather than talent.

• Coaching

• Health

• 3rd youngest roster by snaps played.

You’re going to get a lot of up and down play with that, especially with our coaching staff.