Mitch Trubisky’s future with the Bears is ______. 4 answers to 4 big Bears questions this offseason.

As the Bears head into a critical offseason after a disappointing 8-8 finish, our team of Bears writers weighs in on four timely topics.

1. Mitch Trubisky's future as the Bears starting quarterback is ______.

Brad Biggs: Tied to that of general manager Ryan Pace.

It would be stunning if the Bears don't do as much as possible within the constraints of available resources (draft picks, cash and salary-cap space) to augment one of the NFL's worst offenses. Coach Matt Nagy has started the process of reshaping his offensive coaching staff, and the Bears need more explosive and more reliable skill-position players around Trubisky. That means upgrading at tight end, where the Bears can't count on Trey Burton or Adam Shaheen. That means adding a wide receiver, potentially to replace Taylor Gabriel, to go with Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller, who could be sidelined until training camp with his second left shoulder surgery in two years. That means seeking help for the offensive line to get Nagy's handpicked running back, David Montgomery, going. It also means Nagy taking a close look at what he's doing scheme-wise with his players. The Bears are clearly intent on making it work with Trubisky considering their massive investment in him. T he view at Halas Hall is that quarterbacks develop at different rates. While it's possible that 42 starts into his career, including postseason, Trubisky is just trailing other young stars at the position who have shown consistent high-level play, it's also impossible to say Trubisky isn't potentially following the career arc of former Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles and other high picks who never clicked. Last week, Nagy outlined some of the areas Trubisky needs to improve, citing decision-making, understanding coverages, footwork and comfort in the pocket. That's quite a to-do list heading into what everyone should agree — those who believe in Trubisky and those who doubt him — is a make-or-break year.

Rich Campbell: Going to become clearer during free agency.

I don't doubt general manager Ryan Pace's faith in Trubisky. Pace staked his career on Trubisky with his unwillingness to settle for another quarterback in the 2017 draft. He has indicated he weighs Trubisky's flashes of quality more than the large body of work showing an inconsistent playmaker and erratic passer who's still working to master coverages entering his fourth season. However, Pace knows — regardless of what he said at his postseason news conference — that the Bears' greatest need is improved quarterback play. And I would bet anything he's sensible about the need for a sound Plan B if Trubisky's development remains stalled. Let's see whom the Bears add as Trubisky's backup/competition, and then we'll get a better sense of how long Trubisky's leash is.

Colleen Kane: Precarious.

Yes, I heard Ryan Pace declare Trubisky the Bears starter for 2020. But I don't believe Pace will go into the season without — at the very least — a better option to replace Trubisky than Chase Daniel. It would be foolish not to seek competition for Trubisky, and I'm not sure why Pace wouldn't acknowledge that. He might still believe in Trubisky and have patience in his draft pick's development that's difficult for outsiders to understand. But he knows the Bears can't continue with the type of inconsistent play they've been getting from Trubisky. Pace's job depends on it. That should make the Bears less hesitant to make a switch than they were in 2019 if Trubisky doesn't turn it around.

Sure, general manager Ryan Pace asserted last week that Trubisky is the team's undisputed starter heading into 2020 and that, in Pace's mind, Trubisky's long-term potential as a franchise quarterback is "wide open." But the true value of those words won't become apparent until we see how the Bears remodel their quarterbacks room. Once we see whom they tab to be the backup, we can translate how that changes the length of Trubisky's leash. Then we'll have a better feel for how unwavering Pace's patience truly is. In the same context, coach Matt Nagy has begun vocalizing the checklist for what Trubisky must accomplish in 2020. At the top of Nagy's list: "I want him to be a master at understanding coverages." Fair demand for a fourth-year starter, right? Nagy also said Trubisky needs to learn how to trust the pocket better, improve his footwork to improve the timing of the passing game and become successful with the touchdown-to-checkdown mentality the team has been stressing for two years. Nagy didn't sound anywhere near as willing to be tolerant of pronounced struggles and growing pains next season. So let's see how this plays out.

2. Other than improved quarterback play, the Bears' biggest need on offense is _____.

Bears tight end Jesper Horsted (49) tries to break through a tackle in the second quarter against the Cowboys. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Biggs: A playmaker who can threaten defenses and produce in the red zone.

Other than Allen Robinson, the Bears didn't have a player who could challenge defenses in the middle of the field. Other than glimpses from Taylor Gabriel, they lacked a receiver who could take the top off the defense and be a consistent vertical threat. Whatever avenue they choose, be it a tight end or wide receiver, they have to upgrade the offense. As former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio once bluntly put it, "We've got to get our so-called good players playing better." The Bears' so-called playmakers, outside of Robinson, haven't produced enough, and that group needs an upgrade. Fortunately, the draft is expected to be particularly deep at wide receiver, meaning the Bears could get a very good one with one of their two second-round picks. Don't discount the priority the Bears should place on creating competition behind quarterback Mitch Trubisky and finding a player who can step in if Trubisky has an uneven start to 2020.

Campbell: The interior line.

The line is an independent position group, as opposed to a dependent position such as running back. With improved line play, the Bears running game would be more effective. Achieving that upgrade in 2020 is essential to complementing a playoff-caliber defense. Plus, Mitch Trubisky, like most quarterbacks, is much more accurate and timely when he trusts the pocket. Coach Matt Nagy said Trubisky needs to get better at climbing the pocket and remaining a threat to pass and run. That would be easier with improved interior blocking. But the Bears are committed to left guard James Daniels (2018 second-round pick) and center Cody Whitehair (signed an extension in 2019), both of whom were too unreliable in 2019. So how do the Bears get those two to win more blocks? Upgrading at right guard should be a priority.

Kane: A better running game.

The Bears finished 27th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (91.1) and yards per carry (3.7). And that's after they dumped Jordan Howard in favor of rookie David Montgomery. It's going to take better play from the offensive line, whose regression Ryan Pace stressed was detrimental in 2019. And it's going to take a better commitment from Matt Nagy, whose team ran the ball seven times against the Saints. Even though it felt as if offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich and offensive line coach Harry Hiestand were taking the fall for much bigger problems when they were fired last week, it makes sense to seek new voices to try to solve both of those problems.

Wiederer: Tight end production.

Consider this a photo finish with more reliable offensive line play. But it's hard to deny that the inability to establish any continuity or get any meaningful production at tight end was a major handicap in 2019. The Bears' leader in receiving yards by a tight end was J.P. Holtz, who was claimed off waivers after the Redskins cut him in Week 2 and who contributed seven catches and 91 yards. So, yeah, a big-play tight end is needed right away. With two second-round picks, Ryan Pace, Matt Nagy and the talent evaluation staff need to start dialing in on the college tight ends who best fit their system.

3. In two seasons, Matt Nagy's performance as Bears coach has been ____.

Biggs: Exhilarating and then deflating.

The great disparity between 2018 and 2019 creates questions heading into his third season. If you asked Bears fans when Nagy was hired to replace John Fox if they would be happy with a 20-12 record through two years, I can't imagine you would find one who would be disappointed. Had he followed an 8-8 first season with a 12-4 year, the vibe would be entirely different. But you can't re-order history, and there is pressure for the Bears to be more competitive after Nagy's offense was a tremendous disappointment. Most frustrating is that they didn't find ways to adjust and improve during the season. Scoring was a problem at the start of the year, and that never changed. Now the question is how effectively Nagy can work with the talent he has and play to the strengths of his players with the Bears likely in win-now mode under general manager Ryan Pace. Nagy's contract runs through 2021, one more season than Pace, and while he's not as closely linked to Mitch Trubisky as hi s boss is, he has to find a way to win with Trubisky and a defense that remains good but might not regain the form it had in 2018 under coordinator Vic Fangio.

Campbell: Unfulfilling because his offense hasn't taken off.

Nagy has established himself as a capable leader, and that absolutely counts for something. But he was brought here to ignite the offense and develop Mitch Trubisky. Those are his top two responsibilities, and the Bears went backward in both areas after a modest first season. Nagy is unproven as the lead offensive strategist, play caller and quarterback coach, and that is unsettling after two seasons. Then again, Nagy has detailed a number of explosive plays the Bears failed to capitalize on because of Trubisky's poor decision-making or inaccuracy. He is effectively saying, "See, this offense works!" But Trubisky's regression can't be separated from the job Nagy has done coaching him. This crucial partnership hasn't yielded sufficient results, and we can only wait to see where that takes the Bears in 2020.

Nagy has done a lot of things well in his first two seasons. He helped instill a winning culture and brought the Bears back to the playoffs in 2018. He did a commendable job keeping his team from unraveling after a four-game losing streak in 2019. But his offense was rarely functional this season and finished 29th with 296.8 yards per game. He hasn't done enough to elevate the play of quarterback Mitch Trubisky, whose regression this season was jarring. And he needs to prove he isn't too stubborn to adapt when his plans aren't working. Of the Big Three being questioned in this space — Ryan Pace, Nagy and Trubisky — Nagy, a year removed from being named NFL Coach of the Year, is the one who deserves the most patience to right his deficiencies.

On the day Nagy was hired, if Bears fans had been promised a two-season surge in which the Bears won 20 games and posted a .750 winning percentage in NFC North games, they would have been doing cartwheels through Millennium Park. Nagy's 20 victories are the most by any Bears coach in his first two seasons. The problem is that 2019 was such a major disappointment — a "regression" in the eyes of Ryan Pace — that faith in a quick turnaround has decreased significantly. Nagy's leadership skills and positive energy are assets. And it's ridiculous to completely discard the Coach of the Year honor he received for 2018. Still, Nagy arrived with the responsibility of enlivening the Bears offense and lifting Mitch Trubisky to new heights, and thus far he has failed on both assignments. In 20 of 33 games, including postseason, Nagy's offense has failed to score 20 points.

4. As the Bears evaluate Ryan Pace's work as general manager, they should zoom in on _____.

rs general manager Ryan Pace speaks at a press conference at Halas Hall on Dec. 31, 2019. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

Biggs: The success of his moves this offseason.

Pace's draft history, like everyone's, has its ups and downs, and the Bears' 34-46 record since he was hired in 2015 is not as significant as their record in 2020. This season's 8-8 finish was the second-best under Pace, and entering his sixth year, no one can say he hasn't had enough time to build a consistent winner. It's a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business, making this a critical season for Pace. Focusing on busted draft picks such as Kevin White and Adam Shaheen and players who haven't matched their draft status such as Leonard Floyd takes attention from the only thing that will matter to ownership, and that is how the team performs in 2020 and sets up for the future.

Campbell: His stated goal of "sustained success."

The Bears' regular-season record under Pace is 34-46, which partly reflects the scope of the roster problems he inherited. If the Bears had followed their 12-4 season in 2018 with double-digit wins or a playoff berth in 2019, it would be easier to dismiss the fact they won only 14 games in Pace's first three seasons. We would be more certain the Bears had gotten over the hump. But the "regression," as Pace accurately put it, reflects a football operation that hasn't reached Pace's goal of sustaining a winning record. And remember, Pace has said great quarterback play is the key to sustaining success, and his handpicked quarterback continues to fall short. Three years after selecting Mitch Trubisky, it has become one of the most notorious draft picks in recent NFL history. Pace has to see that through clear eyes and find ways to get the Bears back into the playoffs.

Kane: His early-round draft picks and his decision-making process in choosing Mitch Trubisky.

Pace's entire body of work needs to be considered, including the way he rebuilt the roster over five seasons. Let's not forget his accomplishments in 2018, when he signed Allen Robinson, drafted Roquan Smith and traded for Khalil Mack. He has done good things. But his legacy in Chicago, where quarterbacks have so often destroyed hope, cannot be untangled from how Mitch Trubisky's story unfolds. And so far, the selection of Trubisky — and those of first-round picks Kevin White and Leonard Floyd, for that matter — hasn't panned out. Maybe Pace's patience with Trubisky pays off in 2020, or maybe the Bears need to start over at quarterback again. In the latter case, there should be serious reservations about whether Pace should lead that charge.

Too often, the bosses above Pace have difficulty articulating exactly what their performance reviews are based on. Just last week, Chairman George McCaskey was asked what he wanted to see in 2020 to continue believing in the franchise's leadership, and he answered: "We believe in them. We have, we do and we will." In some ways, it feels like belief for belief's sake, a trap the Bears fall into far too frequently. When pressed on the matter, McCaskey emphasized the importance of the upcoming evaluation process that Pace and Matt Nagy will go through to identify reasons for the 2019 letdown. "It's going to be thorough," McCaskey promised. "It's going to be forthright. It's going to be honest. And at times, it may be painful." It also has to produce results. McCaskey steered around a public assessment of Pace's decision to draft Mitch Trubisky and wouldn't say how much weight that move carries in his evaluation of Pace. But at some point, the Bears need to set a bar. They need to identify clear, specific goals and targets and establish consequences if those aren't met.

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