It's rather surprising how much lack of confidence seems to surround the Chicago Bears going into 2019. Here's a team that went 12-4, won the division and still has all but three members of their starting lineup from that year returning. None of those players lost were considered part of their irreplaceable core. If anything one could argue they're even deeper this year than they were last season. So what gives?
There are a few factors in play as to why experts are reluctant to buy in on the Bears. One is still some leftover uncertainty with Mitch Trubisky. While he made nice strides in 2018, he still had some scary moments of decision-making and accuracy that leave people wondering if he can ever fix them. There's also the belief that the upcoming schedule this year will be much tougher, featuring six teams that went to the playoffs last season.
However, the overwhelming reason referenced for why the Bears may take a step back? That is the loss of their defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Despite having one of the most talented units in the NFL, it's felt that the steady and reliable hand of the old coach was the primary reason it had so much success. Dan Graziano of ESPN was the most recent to echo those feelings.
"Dropping Montgomery and Davis into a run game that already featured the electric Tarik Cohen will add layers to what coach Matt Nagy and the Bears' offense can do this year. It should be fun to watch, especially as the receiver group develops around Mitchell Trubisky. But the reason the Bears were as great as they were last year was Fangio's lockdown defense. Can new coordinator Chuck Pagano keep that train rolling, especially with the losses they suffered in the secondary?"
Chicago Bears will miss Vic Fangio but can survive without him
There is no question Fangio was one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL. He's proven that over the past decade since returning to the league with San Francisco. That said, there is plenty of evidence to suggest the Bears can survive without him. Examples of teams who lost prized coordinators but still managed to find success.
2018 Patriots
They lost Matt Patricia to the head coaching job in Detroit. Patricia coordinated a top 10 scoring defense every year with the team since 2012. The Patriots actually improved in total defense after he left and still finished in the top 10 in points allowed, winning their sixth Super Bowl.
2017 Panthers
Sean McDermott had done a tremendous job with the Carolina Panthers defense, going four-straight years from 2012 to 2015 with a top 10 ranking. They were just 21st when he left after 2016 though. A year later they jumped back to 7th under the guidance of Steve Wilks.
2015 Cardinals
Todd Bowles had transformed the Arizona Cardinals defense into a powerhouse almost overnight. They had the 7th and 5th-ranked units in points allowed in 2013 and 2014. So when he left in 2015 to become head coach for the New York Jets, there was a genuine concern. Under James Bettcher, the defense had their finest season ranked 5th overall in the league.
There are other examples but these were the most recent. It's proof that if a team has strong personnel and manage to put a competent coach in charge after losing the top coordinator, things tend to turn out fine. Even the Chicago Bears themselves proved this. After losing Buddy Ryan in 1986, they still finished 1st, 2nd, and 2nd over the next three years without him.
It is okay to trust that this current group will be able to thrive even without Fangio's wizardry.
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