Bears 2013 Season Comes to an End

The 2013 Chicago Bears season came to a disappointing end yesterday evening when the Green Bay Packers defeated the Bears, 33-28 to win the NFC North. The heartbreaking loss was just a microcosm of the 2013 season, highlighted with many ups and downs. Just as the Bears failed to win when they controlled their own destiny with two games left (having to only win one game), they couldn’t close out the Packers on Sunday. Up 28-20, with 14:55 left in the game, the Bears’ defense allowed two late touchdowns to give the Packers lead for good. The game-winner was a 48-yard touchdown strike from Aaron Rodgers to Randall Cobb who was wide open after beating the coverage at the line of scrimmage. The play was horrific, the loss was devastating.

Of course, the Packers would likely not have been in position to win the game if it wasn’t for the bizarre play that occurred shortly before the half. With just under four minutes to go in the half, Julius Peppers knocked the football out of Aaron Rodgers’ hand right before he was preparing to throw. The ball shot forward, leaving many players on both sides to think it was an incomplete pass. Both teams had an opportunity to pick the ball up, but eventually the Packers sideline yelled at Jarrett Boykin to run into the end zone after he picked up the live ball. Boykin walked into the end zone for the easy score, which proved to be the difference in the game. It is unfortunate that such a big game was ultimately decided by that play, but the Bears deserved to lose after not falling on the football. Defensive coaches always preach to fall on any loose ball, so obviously the Bears players clearly thought it was an incomplete pass. In any event, there were other factors (like giving up 473 yards) that decided the outcome.

Now, the Bears head into the offseason with plenty of questions to answer and areas to address.

Who will be at quarterback? I firmly believe that Jay Cutler is good enough to win a Super Bowl and feel the Bears should find a way to retain him. The offense is in place to succeed, so I think it would be foolish to let Cutler walk. Yes, Josh McCown played exceptionally well, but I’m not sure that I would be comfortably having him penciled in as our starting quarterback heading into next year.

In addition to having Jay Cutler as a free agent, the Bears also have 26 other players that will become free agents. Obviously, there are many issues and questions for Phil Emery to figure out other than the quarterback position.

Who will be the defensive coordinator? As bad as the defense was this season, I can’t envision a scenario where current defensive coordinator Mel Tucker is brought back for another season. I have no idea who would replace him, but newly available Leslie Frazier would be at the top of my list.

Will Julius Peppers be back? Peppers’ salary will count for roughly $18 million against the Bears’ salary cap next season. The Bears would love to clear some cap space, and I believe they can cut that $18 million cap hit in half if they release prior him next season. Despite Peppers having a down year, he is still the best pass rusher this defense has to offer. Will Emery feel comfortable heading into next season without Peppers?

What will the Bears do in the draft? An 8-8 season has given the Bears the 14^th overall pick in next year’s NFL Draft. In my opinion, the Bears need to address the defensive side of the ball with virtually every pick. If Peppers were to leave, look for the Bears to draft a defensive lineman. Notre Dame’s DE Stephon Tuitt might be a good fit provided he forgoes his senior season. If the Bears were to switch to a 3-4, I would personally love to see them draft OLB/DE Kyle Van Noy out of BYU. I don’t think Van Noy can play the traditional 4-3 end position in the NFL, but he is an ideal 3-4 OLB with the ability to play with one hand on the ground in passing situations.

In the end, it should be an interesting offseason for the Chicago Bears. Even though the Bears were just 8-8 this season, I believe the offense makes this team a contender in 2014 provided they can improve the defense.

-Eric Tichelbaut

Follow me on Twitter @etichel07