Chicago Bears Mailbag: Chase Daniel as trade bait?

@_Bear_fan_
After Lovie went to the super bowl he replaced Rivera (who I believe was Angelo’s guy)… With Nagy’s success this year, do you foresee a similar power struggle?

That was a different situation. Smith and Rivera didn’t clash over a desire for the head coaching job. They clashed over different philosophies on how to run the defense. They were both defensive guys, remember. Smith wanted it done a particular way but Rivera ran it his way. Clearly, it didn’t mesh even though the defense was having a ton of success. Lovie wanted somebody he trusted to run it his way.

Nagy is an offensive guy. That’s where his primary focus will be. Fangio has total autonomy to run the defense how he wants. Nagy is simply there to motivate and run the team. That’s why it’s unlikely there will be any sort of clash of egos since Vic has never had such issues anywhere else he’s been over the past 20 years.

@abeeson20
Teams frequently overspend at one or two position groups. What are those groups for the Bears and where do they need to make cap corrections for the next few years?

The Bears have actually done a fairly good job of spreading the money around without getting too crazy. If there were two position groups that may become problematic in the near future, it would be defensive line and defensive back. Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman have already received healthy contract extensions. Roy Robertson-Harris is having one of his best years yet. That could present problems in the near future.

Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara have already gotten their new deals. Bryce Callahan is on deck next year as is Adrian Amos. Then there’s the matter of Eddie Jackson who looks like an emerging star. His contract will become a discussion by 2020. With that dreaded QB contract for Trubisky on the horizon, the Bears have to be careful about who they pay and how much. Some tough sacrifices may be made.