NFL Chicago Bears

5 Changes the Chicago Bears Need To Make For the 2015 Season

5 Changes the Chicago Bears Need To Make For the 2015 Season

Chicago Bears huddle
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One day after the end of their 2014 NFL season, the Chicago Bears wasted no time in making changes for next year with the firing of general manager Phil Emery and head coach Marc Trestman, and the hiring of Ryan Pace as the franchise’s new GM. In addition to the search of a new head coach, there are plenty of other things that deserves major attention in Chicago heading into 2015. Here are the top five things the Bears need to change.

5. Add More Youth To the Roster

Chicago Bears-Charles Tillman3
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5. Add More Youth To the Roster

Chicago Bears-Charles Tillman3
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In 2014, the Bears were the third-oldest team in the league. There’s a good chance that older players like Lance Briggs (34), Charles Tillman (33) and D.J. Williams (32) won’t be in the Windy City in 2015. And with the 37-year-old Pace as the franchise’s new GM, new blood should be expected to be added to the roster.

4. Improve Special Teams

Chicago Bears-Robbie Gould
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4. Improve Special Teams

Chicago Bears-Robbie Gould
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With players such as Blake Costanzo and Craig Steltz not being a part of the roster in 2014, the Bears’ special teams unit struggled throughout the entire season with penalties and numerous missed assignments. Maybe with a year under their belt, the current unit can show improvement next year, but more veteran leadership and experience would help even more.

3. Better Talent At Safety

Chicago Bears-Chris Conte
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

3. Better Talent At Safety

Chicago Bears-Chris Conte
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago did select Brock Vereen in last year’s draft, and Ryan Mundy did lead the team in tackles in 2014, but the Bears still lacked big-play ability at both safety positions. The franchise hasn’t seen such a player since Mike Brown, and there’s a good chance that Chris Conte won’t be in Chicago next season. This means that the Bears will have to make getting a safety either via the draft or free agency a top priority.

2. More Focus On Running Game

Chicago Bears-Matt Forte4
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2. More Focus On Running Game

Chicago Bears-Matt Forte4
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Seeing that a boatload of money has made it virtually impossible to get rid of quarterback Jay Cutler, and the fact that he has a knack for turning the ball over, it is vital for Chicago to focus more on moving the ball on the ground. Matt Forte is one of the top running backs in the NFL and deserves more carries. If Forte has the ball in his hands, there will be less of a chance that the Bears will have to suffer from Cutler’s carelessness.

1. Hire A New Defensive Coordinator

Chicago Bears-Mel Tucker2
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1. Hire A New Defensive Coordinator

Chicago Bears-Mel Tucker2
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On the defensive side of the ball over the past two seasons, things haven’t been worse for the Bears in their 95 years of existence. Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker hasn’t come close to expectations in Chicago, and has made the moniker “Monsters of the Midway” irrelevant. With Emery, Trestman and offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer getting the ax, chances are that Tucker will be next in line once a new head coach is implemented.

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