Around the North w/ Wiltfong: Bears’ Leadership Overhaul, Success for Fields, and Division Prediction
K. Joudry
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With many of the offseason’s main events behind us, I’m now turning to an Around the North interview series. The basic idea is that I’ll reach out to a writer for each of the other three NFC North teams to get some insight. We begin with the Chicago Bears.
Recently, I was fortunate to send along a handful of question to Lester Wiltfong Jr., the editor in chief for Windy City Gridiron. He took on my questions, offering insight about Minnesota’s rebuilding rivals. My questions are in bold and his answers are contained below.
1) Let’s start with Chicago’s decision to overhaul their leadership. In your estimation, was hiring Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus the right decision? How should we define success for these two in 2022?
Moving on from the Pace/Nagy regime was without a doubt the right decision, and it was a year too late in my opinion. Success for the Bears in 2022 is all about player development, growth from Justin Fields, and the core becoming comfortable in the new offensive and defensive schemes. The team’s record is secondary this year because Ryan Poles’ first job was to clean up the salary cap mess that he inherited.
2) The Khalil Mack trade was an important move for the Bears organization. Was it controversial among Bears fans? Did the team make the right decision by moving on from their (though older) star edge rusher?
As much as I like Mack, trading him was the right move. Pace kept borrowing from Mack’s contract to get by, so his cap hit was a problem. As a franchise in a re-set year they had to try to recoup something for him, and trading him for a second rounder was a solid return when other recent trades were factored in. Fans were split on the trade, but it was needed.
3) Justin Fields is entering his second season. Did he disappoint during his rookie season? What are Bears fans and (perhaps more importantly) the coaches hoping to see in his sophomore season?
While he did have some disappointing moments, he also flashed positively quite a bit. Last year’s offensive coaching staff never really wanted to play him, as his lack of first team reps in the offseason, and uncreative gameplans showed during the season. Year two will feature an offensive scheme that is more in tune with what Fields can do. The run game and play action off it will get him outside the pocket more, the RPOs will get the ball out of his hands quickly, and the speed the Bears have added will get him more downfield shots.
4) Fill in the blanks. The best offseason decision for the Bears was: __________. The worst offseason decision for the Bears was: __________.
Firing Nagy and bringing in Luke Getsy’s Shanahan-esque offensive scheme.
Not adding a veteran right guard… however there’s still time to bolster the o-line if a veteran shakes loose from another team during training camp.
5) Finally, can I get an NFC North prediction from you? Which team wins the division and why do they win?
It’s the same every year as long as 12 is under center in Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers is the best QB in the division by a wide margin, so the Packers are the favorite to win the NFC North. The Vikings will probably take second with the Bears and Lions battling it out for third.
Editor’s Note: Purple PTSD extends a sincere thanks to Lester Wiltfong Jr. for taking the time for this interview. Readers can find his writing at Windy City Gridiron. He’s also on Twitter.
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