Chicago Bears Off-Season Preview

Chicago (9-7 No Playoffs)

Current Situation: Chicago replaced Rex Grossman with Kyle Orton, competed for the NFC North crown and the Wild Card, but fell one game shy of both. After failing to get back to the playoffs for the second straight year after their 2006 Super Bowl campaign, Lovie Smith needs to make the playoffs, or he could be out.

Advice:
- Find a legitimate #1 WR to take defenders away from Devin Hester. Hester is an electrifying playmaker, but needs space to be most effective. He won't get that space as the team's #1 target.
- Increase the pass rush. Chicago was 30th against the pass and a lot of that was due to a poor pass rush. Mark Anderson for some reason hasn't developed like they expected, while Adewale Ogunleye and Alex Brown are aging and no longer as effective as they once were. They need a DE.
- They need Safeties. Danieal Manning disappointed after moving to FS, while Mike Brown is always hurt and has been told he will not be brought back.
- RT John Tait is likely to retire, and while the team is trying to resign John St. Clair, he is 31 and really nothing special anyway. Having a bookend to pair with Chris Williams for years would be very nice to have.
- 316 of Chicago's 407 carries went to Matt Forte. They need a spell back to ensure that Matt Forte is still effective down the road.
- They could use a DT to add to the rotation with Tommie Harris and Dusty Dvoracek.
- The interior O-Line depth should also be addressed.