Bears 2025

[Bash Riprock]

27 minutes ago, Muda69 said:

And I have never said anything to the contrary. 

If your opinion says so. 

I'm not a baby boomer. Nice try.

So now you are saying Mr. Williams's abysmal (for an NFL starting QB) completion % is not really all that much his fault.  Got it.  I believe at least 75% of an NFL QB's completion percentage is "on him".  

Sounds like you are being somewhat of a William's apologist here. 

I never said I was an armchair coach.   You appear to be the one that is mad, not I.   I can just see that vein in the middle of your voluminous forehead bulging with rage.   Please, go for a hike in nature or something.  Maybe take up bird watching.  It will reduce your apparent stress, I promise.

So how many years are you been coaching in the NFL ranks?

 

Muda, a sign of true wisdom for a human being is knowing their limitations.  If you can't accept that a man that had dedicated his life to football coaching (regardless of the level) understands the game at a deeper level than yourself, I am not sure what to tell you.  Its just fine to have opinions that differ from Coach's, but instead of the last "cute" statement, why not just try to accept that while Coach isn't always 100% right (no one is) how about trying to give him some credit about his knowledge of this complex game.  He's earned it.

[Muda69]

2 minutes ago, Bash Riprock said:

Muda, a sign of true wisdom for a human being is knowing their limitations.  If you can't accept that a man that had dedicated his life to football coaching (regardless of the level) understands the game at a deeper level than yourself, I am not sure what to tell you.  Its just fine to have opinions that differ from Coach's, but instead of the last "cute" statement, why not just try to accept that while Coach isn't always 100% right (no one is) how about trying to give him some credit about his knowledge of this complex game.  He's earned it.

Mr. Nowlin has a deeper understanding of the game of Indiana high school football than I do.  

There, I said it.

Now back on topic. I still contend that young Mr. Williams has a long way to go, and that his interceptions in the divisional rounds versus the Rams contributed to the Chicago Bears losing the game. 

 

 

[Bobref]

2 hours ago, Coach Nowlin said:

How much will the inconsistencies of EFFORT by #2 weigh into what they will do?

Johnson is building a culture there. I can think of worse ways to set an example than shipping DJ out of town.

[gonzoron]

2 hours ago, Coach Nowlin said:

 No idea what you are looking at, thankfully you're not in charge 

I'm looking at a coaching staff trying to turn an RPO qb into a drop back pocket passer, what are you looking at?

[Coach Nowlin]

23 hours ago, gonzoron said:

I'm looking at a coaching staff trying to turn an RPO qb into a drop back pocket passer, what are you looking at?

Caleb can run an RPO, its a play, there is not an NFL head coach or Offensive Coordinator that is an "RPO" system , sure there are teams that build it for a play or so, but nothing that is exclusively 

 

I will continue to Trust this guy below and what he is doing....   

 

 

Why is Kliff Kingsbury currently unemployed ?   Washington fired him after Arizona Fired him, he was the last true RPO college coach to come into the NFL and yet another failed offense system ....  Instead they are hiring a pro style QB who has sky rocketed up the coaching ranks... his name is David Blough......

 

 

@Muda69   Questions that I hope are easy for you to answer if you CHOOSE to.  

1.   Was the 2025 Bears Season Successful?  Yes or No? 

2.   Did the 2025 Bears Season beat your pre season bias on outcomes that you assumed you were going to get? 

3.   Are you excited for the next 5 years of Bears football?  If YES, why is that?   

 

[gonzoron]

21 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

there is not an NFL head coach or Offensive Coordinator that is an "RPO" system

That's what I said. They don't want him to run, which makes sense, but it goes against his obvious instincts. 

[Muda69]

26 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

@Muda69   Questions that I hope are easy for you to answer if you CHOOSE to.  

1.   Was the 2025 Bears Season Successful?  Yes or No?

No.  When you have an 11-6 regular season record and a #2 playoff seed nothing less than playing in a Conference championship game is a failure in IMHO.

26 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

2.   Did the 2025 Bears Season beat your pre season bias on outcomes that you assumed you were going to get? 

Yes. I was expecting an 8-9 season at best. 

26 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

3.   Are you excited for the next 5 years of Bears football?  If YES, why is that?   

Yes, as long as they don't build a new stadium in NW Indiana, once again fleecing Hoosier taxpayers in the process. 

 

Edited January 21 by Muda69

[Coach Nowlin]

2 minutes ago, gonzoron said:

That's what I said. They don't want him to run, which makes sense, but it goes against his obvious instincts. 

RPO is not RUN for QB

Its RUN to RB... then READ, PULL and RIP to WR all before NFL OL are 1 yard forward (not 3 like in College and HS, hence why you barely see it) 

 

Now, if you're a referring to him not being a 1 read and tuck and go like he was when he was sacked an NFL record 68 times his rookie season then HELL YEAH, I am ALL FOR THAT, because there is a reason guys who are RUN 1st QB as you stated do not last the way the non runners do.   Being selective to get a 1st down, move the chains, vs taking sacks or throwing the ball away to live for another down.    

 

[Coach Nowlin]

2 minutes ago, Muda69 said:

No.  When you have an 11-6 regular season record nothing less than playing in a Conference championship game is a failure in IMHO.

Yes. I was expecting an 8-9 season at best. 

Yes, as long as they don't build a new stadium in NW Indiana, once again fleecing Hoosier taxpayers in the process. 

 

Thanks for your responses.... 

1.  Disagree, because of your statement where you felt 8 or 9 at best, when they exceeded that, then you cannot say well NOW they have to get to Conf Champ game......  wouldn't that be moving the goalposts on expectations?    IMO, you have a set expectations, if they achieve those, and exceed those, you cannot call the next goal that wasn't stated prior to that a failure.   

2.  How does where a team decides to play their games change the on field product?   Their Organization is and will remain in Lake Forest IL

 

[gonzoron]

12 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

RPO is not RUN for QB

I wasn't aware the QB was not allowed to run the ball at all on a Run/Pass/Option play? Only in Chicago, I guess.

QB's certainly have used the option to run the ball on any RPO I've ever seen at any level of football.

[Muda69]

41 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

Thanks for your responses.... 

1.  Disagree, because of your statement where you felt 8 or 9 at best, when they exceeded that, then you cannot say well NOW they have to get to Conf Champ game......  wouldn't that be moving the goalposts on expectations?    IMO, you have a set expectations, if they achieve those, and exceed those, you cannot call the next goal that wasn't stated prior to that a failure.   

 

As a fan I most certainly can say that.  And yes, it is moving goalposts.  Good. Better. Best.  Right?  

You seem to be saying that if the Bears coaching staff set an internal "goalpost" of say just making the playoffs as a wild card, that when they actually surpassed that goal by winning the NFC North and securing a #2 seed  it would be OK for them to then say "you know we really don't care if lose any game past the wild card round because that would be moving the goalposts on expectations."  How exactly is that a winning mentality?

47 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

2.  How does where a team decides to play their games change the on field product?   Their Organization is and will remain in Lake Forest IL

You asked me if I was excited for the next five years of Bears football, not specifically the on field product.  I can't be "excited" about a team that chooses to play it's home games in a stadium built with taxpayer funds, especially Hoosier taxpayers.  I just can't. 

 

 

[Coach Nowlin]

31 minutes ago, gonzoron said:

I wasn't aware the QB was not allowed to run the ball at all on a Run/Pass/Option play? Only in Chicago, I guess.

QB's certainly have used the option to run the ball on any RPO I've ever seen at any level of football.

That would be considered a SPREAD TRIPLE OPTION play, I have seen in only a few times the last 5 or 6 years:  Klif tried with Kyler and got him killed and Lamar as well early on, but he too has been not running as much as he once did for clear reasons. 

Your verbiage is not correct that is why I am confused by what you are expecting out of Caleb Williams ?  

 

[Coach Nowlin]

17 minutes ago, Muda69 said:

As a fan I most certainly can say that.  And yes, it is moving goalposts.  Good. Better. Best.  Right?  

You seem to be saying that if the Bears coaching staff set an internal "goalpost" of say just making the playoffs as a wild card, that when they actually surpassed that goal by winning the NFC North and securing a #2 seed  it would be OK for them to then say "you know we really don't care if lose any game past the wild card round because that would be moving the goalposts on expectations."  How exactly is that a winning mentality?

You asked me if I was excited for the next five years of Bears football, not specifically the on field product.  I can't be "excited" about a team that chooses to play it's home games in a stadium built with taxpayer funds, especially Hoosier taxpayers.  I just can't. 

 

 

1.  Sure you can say that..... to me personally, seems nonsensical, like was I disappointed that Bears gave away a game they were in and absolutely could have won, YES, does that mean that the overall season is a failure, for me NOT A CHANCE

 

2.  I said nothing nor have I inferred anything to the internal goals set by Coach Johnson, other than what he publicly said from DAY 1, which was the expectation is to win and WIN NOW, to me they did, just not all the games to get them to the Super Bowl. 

3.  Fair enough:  I personally can seperate on field and front office / organization business / players choices of the field 

[gonzoron]

14 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

I am confused by what you are expecting out of Caleb Williams ?

I've stated it several times.

 

I actually expected him to run through that gaping hole he had to pick up the first down instead of missing his receiver completely on a pass attempt which turned into an interception.

Edited January 21 by gonzoron

[Muda69]

14 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

Your verbiage is not correct that is why I am confused by what you are expecting out of Caleb Williams ?  

I'm expecting him to be a perfect amalgamation of Tom Brady and Josh Allen.  

 

[Coach Nowlin]

2 minutes ago, gonzoron said:

I've stated it several times. I actually expected him to run through that gaping hole he had to pick up the first down instead of missing his receiver completely on a pass attempt which turned into an interception.

But that is not RPO just saying 

I want my franchise QB to continue to build into a HEALTHY sustainable ALL PRO level QB, he is going into year 3 total, but year 1 of proper NFL offense and coaching that includes accountability to maximize the hard work and god given talent he possesses.   SO YES, for me, PLEASE continue to make your 1st, 2nd and sometimes 3rd reads while the protection holds up.   That is what the GREAT ones do. 

The others end up hurt and inconsistent because the RISK to leave the pocket is not worth any sort of short term reward such as a 1st down.   Caleb was much better on being selective within his decisions on when to go and when to try to make the play per the progressions given within each play Coach sent in.   

3 minutes ago, Muda69 said:

I'm expecting him to be a perfect amalgamation of Tom Brady and Josh Allen.  

 

and if he does achieve this very LOFTY endeavor then us Bears Fans will have one whale of the next 10 years 

[gonzoron]

5 minutes ago, Muda69 said:

I'm expecting him to be a perfect amalgamation of Tom Brady and Josh Allen.

For now he's Bobby Douglass. But he's still young.

[Coach Nowlin]

7 minutes ago, gonzoron said:

I've stated it several times.

 

I actually expected him to run through that gaping hole he had to pick up the first down instead of missing his receiver completely on a pass attempt which turned into an interception.

https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/nfl-qb-rushing-yards-leaders-2025

He was 8th in the NFL this past year in rush attempts 

Of the 4 teams remaining in the playoffs only 1 has a QB in top 10, but would of have had 2 but instead on a play that DID NOT have to get called, Sean Payton decided to run a QB sweep and get his QB ankle broken ..... 

Darnold and Stafford did not even register in top 25 

Nix hurt running 

Allen leads the way and is in Cancun and somehow got his HC fired 

 

4 minutes ago, gonzoron said:

For now he's Bobby Douglass. But he's still young.

Cannot wait until he erases that name entirely from the Bears record books.  

[Bash Riprock]

1 hour ago, Coach Nowlin said:

Thanks for your responses.... 

1.  Disagree, because of your statement where you felt 8 or 9 at best, when they exceeded that, then you cannot say well NOW they have to get to Conf Champ game......  wouldn't that be moving the goalposts on expectations?    IMO, you have a set expectations, if they achieve those, and exceed those, you cannot call the next goal that wasn't stated prior to that a failure.   

2.  How does where a team decides to play their games change the on field product?   Their Organization is and will remain in Lake Forest IL

 

1. Coach, I think the Bears have played 2 playoff games since 2011 and last one I believe was 2021.  But somehow they should go straight to the NFC championship or the season was a bust......Note my sarcastic tone.  Bears had a heck of a season and showed tremendous improvement.  

2.  Its ok to "fleece" taxpayers in other states....just not here.  Let's just keep the Gary region its oh so beautiful self....why invest?  

Sorry..dripping with sarcasm.....

[Coach Nowlin]

2 hours ago, Bash Riprock said:

1. Coach, I think the Bears have played 2 playoff games since 2011 and last one I believe was 2021.  But somehow they should go straight to the NFC championship or the season was a bust......Note my sarcastic tone.  Bears had a heck of a season and showed tremendous improvement.  

2.  Its ok to "fleece" taxpayers in other states....just not here.  Let's just keep the Gary region its oh so beautiful self....why invest?  

Sorry..dripping with sarcasm.....

I was in the stadium in 2010 when they beat Seahawks then lost next week when Chris Conte decided hero ball was in order instead of doing his job, but I digress.    The next playoff game was under previous playoff structure where Matt Nagy achieved a 1st round bye and then the classic double doink game took place in Solider Field .... was not present then. 

But you point out what I have been saying since the Bears brass FINALLY go it right when it comes to ORG structure first and now we wait to see if they can finish the mission.  The mission is sustain successes, Such as winning the NORTH/Making playoffs each year and eventually become Super Bowl team and dare I say a perennial Super Bowl contender  ( you know like the Chiefs are currently, they will always be relevant bc of their QB and Coach).  

That is the goal imo:   To be Super Bowl relevant YEARLY:  Only way that happens in the current state of NFL is having a legit Franchise QB (that phrase is used so loosely, for instance, Jordan Love, is he a true franchise QB or a GOOD QB in a Good Org?_)  

 

[Muda69]

16 hours ago, Bash Riprock said:

2.  Its ok to "fleece" taxpayers in other states....just not here.  Let's just keep the Gary region its oh so beautiful self....why invest?  

That was never stated.  I really wish Illinois taxpayers would stand up and fight such fleecing attempts.  But most, especially those in the Chicagoland area, have become used to and complacent about the corrupt crony socialist politics that dominate the region.   There is a reason several Illinois counties have floated the idea of seceding from the state, it wasn't done on a whim.

I as a citizen of Indiana have zero input into Illinois politics, so why waste my time trying to influence it?

 

[Coach Nowlin]

What an OUTSTANDING Presser by Coach Johnson:   Poles presser I could have summarized before it even began.... classic GM speech rightfully so, but not for CBJ (not to be confused with CJB) 

I think one of the great attributes of Coach Johnson from my studies of him, his very keen knack of providing the prefect message at the perfect time for his team, that was on display yesterday imo

 

OFF SEASON PRIORITY and CONCERNS:

1.  Converting guaranteed contracts to signing bonuses (could free up to 30 million in cap space, DJ MOORE, GRADY JARRETT, TREMAINE EDWARDS) 

2.  LT.  The Injury to OZZIE is very very very serious, he is going to most likely miss all of next year, and this injury is a good chance he can never get to that level again, fingers crossed.   You should not resign Braxton Jones, and you pulled Theo Benedict of the streets as league minimum LT money, don't think he is worth a large contract by any means but maybe you can sign into a 3 years 12 million type deal, but not sure you would pencil him in as starter LT in 2026 personally 

3.  YOUNGER FASTER LB. (that is the draft ) 

4.  Resign Byard, 3 years, 2 guaranteed perhaps around 8 Mil a year ish.   

5.  Cannot have both Brisker (was healthy all year) and Byard, I would like Byard vs Brisker between the 2

6.   How much is 31 year old Trey Hendrickson worth??  Meh.   

7.   Maxx Crosby, lots of noise there, lots of draft capital to obtain him, If its DJ and 1 this year with like 3 next, I can live, if its multiple 1s or this I saw, Mooore, 1 /5 this year and 2 next. HARD PASS 

Bears drafted TURNER in 2nd round so he should be back and healthy next year, another year of BOOKER to develop, but our INTERIOR was soft imo, which didn't help our outside edge and again, our LB corp needs an overhaul....  

[Coach Nowlin]

 

 

I am worried that AL HARRIS will find his way to DC of GB too 

[Bash Riprock]

5 hours ago, Muda69 said:

That was never stated.  I really wish Illinois taxpayers would stand up and fight such fleecing attempts.  But most, especially those in the Chicagoland area, have become used to and complacent about the corrupt crony socialist politics that dominate the region.   There is a reason several Illinois counties have floated the idea of seceding from the state, it wasn't done on a whim.

I as a citizen of Indiana have zero input into Illinois politics, so why waste my time trying to influence it?

 

I hope NWI gets the stadium.....I am good with the investment to start the cleanup of an area that needs it badly, and have a much needed source of revenue generation.  The area will not clean up on its own without an investment and there is no incentive by the private sector to do it all on their own.  If there was, it would have happended a long time ago.

Well, let's just agree to disagree and move on.  

[Muda69]

3 minutes ago, Bash Riprock said:

I hope NWI gets the stadium.....I am good with the investment to start the cleanup of an area that needs it badly, and have a much needed source of revenue generation.  The area will not clean up on its own without an investment and there is no incentive by the private sector to do it all on their own.  If there was, it would have happended a long time ago.

Well, let's just agree to disagree and move on.  

Yes, we can agree to disagree but just one more point.    It should not be the job of government to "provide incentives", aka picking winners and losers,  when it come to commercial and industrial development.  Let the free and open market work that out without spending taxpayer dollars.