The Chicago Bears are in the midst of an offseason of change. John Fox and Ryan Pace take over as the primary decision makers. Brandon Marshall is in the Big Apple. But most importantly, Jay Cutler's future is still uncertain.
What can Bears fans expect from their team with Cutler at the helm this year? ESPN Bears reporter Jeff Dickerson was asked a similar question in his weekly mailbag.
"No. Internally, the Bears believe they can finish 8-8. It's a realistic possibility. In fact, I probably will pick the Bears 8-8 when the schedule is released. The Bears had way too much talent on the roster last year to finish 5-11, but they did. The massive underachievement in Lake Forest cost a ton of people their jobs, including head coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery. That type of dysfunction and insubordination will not be tolerated in 2015. Get with the program, or get out. The Bears have weeded out many of those problem players in the offseason, either by trading them or allowing them to leave via free agency. I feel the defense instantaneously improved the moment John Fox, and later Vic Fangio, walked in the Halas Hall door. There is talent on offense, but the same problems persist at quarterback. For that reason, while I feel strongly the Bears will be much improved this fall, the organization cannot be considered a true Super Bowl contender until a quarterback arrives talented and savvy enough to beat Aaron Rodgers. Easier said than done, I know. The Bears' chances of finding that quarterback in this year's draft class are slim."
Fox comes to the Bears after three seasons with Peyton Manning as his quarterback. He knows you can't be an elite team without an elite signal-caller. Although Cutler looks like Chicago's QB of 2015, Fox is likely turning over every stone in search of an eventual replacement. But as Dickerson said, this year's draft doesn't offer many realistic options.
Although the Bears have been rumored to be interested in Oregon's Marcus Mariota, the team will almost assuredly be in no position to draft him. The Bears hold the No. 7 pick in the draft and Mariota isn't expected to fall past the top two. A trade up is always possible, but the Bears would have to compete with the Cleveland Browns, St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles and possibly even more teams. That's a bidding war no one wants to get into.
Is a .500 season under Cutler enough to appease Bears fans for one year? I guess we'll have to wait to find out.
