Chicago Bears Rumors: Mel Tucker Is Thankfully On His Way Out
By Clyde A. Speller
@ClydeASpeller
Getty Images
With the postseason officially out of reach heading into Week 15, it seems that the Chicago Bears are already making plans for 2015. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bears are planning to cut ties with defensive coordinator Mel Tucker at season’s end. Here’s what Rapoport tweeted yesterday:
Barring significant improvement, I’m told the #Bears plan to part ways with defensive coordinator Mel Tucker after this season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 7, 2014
Looking at what Chicago’s defense has done since 2013 (Tucker’s first year with the Bears), I say that this move is much needed for the former Monsters of the Midway. Tucker has been in the Windy City for only two seasons, and their defense has not come close to what Bears fans are accustomed to seeing.
Last year, Chicago displayed the worst defensive single-season performance in their existence. In Tucker’s first season as DC, the Bears were 30th in total yards allowed per game (394.6), allowed the second-most points per game (29.9), surrendered the second-most rushing touchdowns (22) and ranked dead last in run defense (161.4).
Through the first 13 games of the 2014 season, Chicago did improve dramatically in stopping the run, however, they are still giving up 377.8 total yards per game (28th), have declined from last year’s 15th ranked pass defense to 30th and are allowing 29.1 points per game (last).
If these aren’t signs of making a change at defensive coordinator, then I don’t know what is. Assuming that Rapoport’s tweet is true (and I hope it is), it could be considered good news that it only took two years to make such a significant change. That’s just another reason why I think head coach Marc Trestman will definitely be on the hot seat going into next season.
Clyde A. Speller is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ClydeASpeller
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