Chicago Bears Mock Offseason: Going All Out for Trubisky
By Erik Lambert
A Chicago Bears mock offseason encompasses the full range of what can happen from the end of one league year and going into the next.
Everything from coaching staff changes to roster cuts, trades, re-signings, free agency and the draft are taken into account. It can reveal just how much a franchise can change in just a few months. Based on the way things are going, the Bears may be headed in that direction. It starts at the top. John Fox is feeling serious heat. He’s 3-6 this season and 12-29 overall. A loss to Detroit this week might be that final death blow to what was once a bright head coaching career.
Most expect changes to come and for the focus to be on ensuring the proper development of quarterback Mitch Trubisky. With that in mind, here is how things could play out.
Coaching Changes
Head coach: Matt Lafleur
Lafleur is in the midst of a meteoric rise. Though Sean McVay is garnering most of the praise for the Rams’ rapid offensive turnaround in Los Angeles, his right hand man is also being revealed to the NFL world. Lafleur has developed a reputation for being excellent with quarterbacks. Players like Robert Griffin III, Matt Ryan and now Jared Goff have had or are having career-best seasons under his watch. This makes him a prime candidate to take over the development of Trubisky.
Offensive coordinator: Greg Olson
The problem with Lafleur is his youth. He’s 38-years old and in the midst of his first season as an offensive coordinator. The smart thing for him to do would bring somebody with experience in to hold that job. Greg Olson, who is his quarterbacks coach in L.A., checks that box. Olson has been offensive coordinator for five different teams since 2004 and had some decent success. This despite having some average rosters. He also has Bears connections, having been their QB coach in 2003.
Defensive coordinator: Raheem Morris
Morris disappeared from national consciousness after his head coaching run ended in Tampa Bay after the 2011 season. That’s a shame because he’s done a lot of good work since then. He coached the defensive backs in Washington until 2014, moved to Atlanta and has since shown his versatility by becoming their wide receivers coach. He’s never served as a coordinator before but many respected coaches believe this is long overdue. Lafleur knows him well, having spent time with him at both those locations.