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Chicago Bears Mock Off-Season: It’s All About the Prestige

By Erik Lambert

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 01: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal looks on from the sidelines against the USC Trojans during the Pac-12 Football Championship game at Levi's Stadium on December 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. The Trojans won the game 31-28. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 01: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal looks on from the sidelines against the USC Trojans during the Pac-12 Football Championship game at Levi's Stadium on December 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. The Trojans won the game 31-28. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 01: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal looks on from the sidelines against the USC Trojans during the Pac-12 Football Championship game at Levi’s Stadium on December 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. The Trojans won the game 31-28. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 01: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal looks on from the sidelines against the USC Trojans during the Pac-12 Football Championship game at Levi’s Stadium on December 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. The Trojans won the game 31-28. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

The Chicago Bears delivered their best performance of the year in Cincinnati. If nothing else that offers plenty of hope of what could come in 2018.

This feels like a potential turning point for the franchise. They’re one more good push away from finally getting up off the mat to contend in the NFC again. A quarterback, running back and defense all appear to be in place. What they need now is another influx of offensive weapons and a coaching staff who understands how to put it together.

That’s what this mock off-season is going to focus on.

THE COACHING STAFF

Head coach:  David Shaw

After going with a proven coach like Fox, it would be easy compulsion by the Bears to go the complete opposite direction with the next one. That can be ill-advised overreaction. The bottom line is the franchise needs a capable man in charge who understands how to build a functional staff and foster a winning environment. David Shaw has done that for years at Stanford. Prior to his arrival, that program was average at best most of their existence with no more than two seasons in a row of winning since the late 1970s. They’ve never had a losing one with Shaw.

Offensive coordinator:  Pep Hamilton

It was always curious why the Indianapolis Colts chose to part ways with Pep Hamilton. His final year as offensive coordinator featured a lot of mistakes but they also glossed over the fact that Andrew Luck had the best season of his career under Hamilton’s watch. The man is well-traveled and highly experienced. He was quarterbacks coach for the Bears from 2007 to 2009. Most of his best work though was done working with Shaw when they were together at Stanford.

Defensive Coordinator:  Rex Ryan

One great thing about Shaw is he not only brings a respectable reputation with him, he’s also got decent connections too. From 2002 through 2005 he got a chance to work on the Baltimore Ravens staff. During that time he got to know a brash young coach named Rex Ryan who would eventually become one of the top defensive coaches in the NFL. Ryan is currently a free agent and might be the perfect choice to replace Vic Fangio in Chicago.

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