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As part of a three part series , ECD highlights the major story lines involving all three phases of the game for the Chicago Bears." From The Desk Of...Chicago Bears Training Camp 2019Chicago Bears Training Camp 2019: Top 3 story lines on offenseNew,22commentsAs part of a three part series, ECD highlights the major story lines involving all three phases of the game for the Chicago Bears.CDTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:Chicago Bears Training Camp 2019: Top 3 story lines on offenseTwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmailComing off a solid sophomore campaign in 2019, can Trubisky continue his ascent as “the guy” in Chicago’s offense?Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty ImagesWith training camp set to begin in Bourbonnais this weekend, the silence of the NFL dead period is finally ending. In direct comparison to the 31 other teams in the NFL, the Chicago Bears had a relatively quiet offseason. More, or less, we already know 90% of the final roster is likely intact from last season. That doesn’t mean there won’t be any stories to cover. Plus, there will be some key battles happening at various positions on the team. This part will track the major stories regarding the Bears’ offense. Some stories have already been repeated endlessly by the media — cough cough Trubisky haters cough cough — where others are just about to begin. Of course, the number one question entering training camp is....well, the development of the franchise quarterback in Mitchell Trubisky. Can Mitchell Trubisky take the next step in his development? Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty ImagesI’ll address this question right away, and say that Trubisky is most certainly capable of becoming one of the better quarterbacks in the league. Maybe not elite — not yet at least — but top ten isn’t out of the question. Comparing him to his 2017 draft counterparts in Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes is unfair, as he’s already 1) underwent an extreme change in coaching philosophy from John Fox to Matt Nagy and 2) had to build new chemistry with his supporting cast in consecutive seasons. With that, comes one reality of the 2019 regular season. He has no more excuses to not succeed as the Bears’ quarterback. The pieces are in place; from coaching, to a large amount of weaponry and a fortified trench on offense, to an elite defense backing him up. This is something the Bears haven’t achieved in decades. Finally, a quarterback has been placed in a real position to achieve sustainable success. Now , Trubisky just has to follow through on his development, and the buzz from Chicago indicates that he’s ready for his ascent in the league’s pecking order at quarterback. If he does take that next step in his development, the Bears are destined for the Super Bowl. The Battle for “Top Dog” at the running back position Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesLester Wiltfong has already touched on the development and competition at runningback in his latest piece, which you can access right here. Anyone who knows me will tell you I’m still not buying this “committee” nonsense people bring up when talking about this critical element in Matt Nagy’s offense. There will be an established hierarchy on the depth chart, and training camp will determine who earns the title as the starter for the 2019 season. Tarik Cohen is the lone wolf returning from last year’s group, and he’ll be featured everywhere on offense. For me, the majority of the battle early on will be between free agent signee Mike Davis and rookie David Montgomery. And who doesn’t love a real competition to figure out the best option? It’s already evident that Montgomery will be featured aplenty during the preseason, as the staff wants to see what they currently have on their (likely) featured back. Changing of the Guard between James Daniels and Cody WhitehairPhoto by Al Pereira/Getty ImagesEarlier in the spring, it was revealed that the Bears will be making a positional swap between pro bowler Cody Whitehair and James Daniels at Center and Left Guard, respectively. The move has been seen as a “win/win” provided both players are returning to their natural positions. Cody was originally drafted to be the Bears’ LG in the 2016 draft before Josh Sitton miraculously fell to their lap as a surprise training camp cut, and James spent a majority of his collegiate career at Iowa as a dominant Center. The shakeup on the Bears’ O-line is likely being made in an effort to better the Bears’ inside run game, as they did struggle last season when attempting to run between the tackles. It certainly didn’t help matters having a running back position that was seen as predictable, which was also addressed as I mentioned earlier. Yet, when it did come time to surge up the middle, there wasn’t a consistent push in the trenches. It’s typically odd when you see a player coming off their first Pro Bowl appearance change positions the following season. For Cody, this could help his career for the better, as he’s a prime candidate for a new contract this year. And , for the Bears’ offense, this change could make their offense more potent moving forward. These are just three of what could me many more stories to come on this phase, along with the rest of the team. What are some of the top stories you, the fans, will be monitoring during this preseason? CHICAGO (AP)The Cleveland Browns got pushed to the brink of a winless season, and the anger and embarrassment were as easy to spot as the mistakes they made. DeShone Kizer called it a low point in his life. Coach Hue Jackson made his feelings clear, too. Kizer threw two more interceptions and the Browns committed two turnovers in the red zone on the way to a 20-3 loss to the struggling Chicago Bears on a snowy Sunday.Article continues below ... One more loss and the Browns will join the 2008 Detroit Lions as the only teams to go 0-16. It’s not hard to see why Kizer called this ”one of the more difficult moments in my life.” He insisted this will be ”one of the more pivotal years in my career.” ”You’ve got to understand what rock bottom looks like before you can even climb to the top,” Kizer said. The Browns (0-15) could hit rock bottom when they wrap up the season at AFC North leader Pittsburgh next week. But whether they’re playing first-place teams or last-place teams, the Browns (0-15) keep racking up losses. They’re 1-30 in two seasons under Jackson. And after beating the then-San Diego Chargers on Christmas Eve last year, there was no holiday celebration for them this time. ”I’m (ticked) off because I never saw this being this way in my two years – ever,” Jackson said. ”I’ve been coaching football for a long time, been through a lot of things, seen a lot of things. I just know without question we’re gonna get this fixed. … I’m not going to let this define our organization, our players, our coaches, as we move forward.” Kizer threw for 182 yards and ran his league-leading interception total to 21. One of those was to a wide-open Kyle Fuller in the end zone in the second quarter. Defensive end Myles Garrett had what looked like a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the third quarter with the Browns trailing 6-3 wiped out because Carl Nassib was offside. Rashard Higgins lost a fumble near the goal line that Chicago (5-10) recovered in the end zone. And Josh Gordon, playing through an illness , had just two catches for 19 yards. Mitchell Trubisky threw for 193 yards and ran for a touchdown against his hometown team to help the Bears pick up the win in what might be coach John Fox’s final home game at Soldier Field. With a 14-33 record, he could be on his way out after three seasons. The Bears at least avoided the ultimate indignity in a season full of them by not losing to the Browns. HAUNTING HOMETOWN TEAM Trubisky, who grew up near Cleveland, played a big role, completing 14 of 23 passes facing a blitzing defense. He scrambled for 44 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown in the third quarter that made it 20-3. And he played turnover-free ball after getting picked off three times by Detroit in the previous game. ”They’ve got a really good pressure package and they get to the quarterback really well and disguise it really well on the back end,” Trubisky said. ”That’s what we wanted to do was just offset it with the screens. We hit them with a couple big ones and that was really big for us. We’ve got to keep using that and keep the defense on their heels any way we can.” Though he finished with 44 yards on 22 carries, Jordan Howard ran for two scores, and the Bears came away with the win after dropping six of seven. QUOTABLE ”Don’t be fearful, be grateful. No matter where you’re picked. If you’re part of the Browns, or you’re part of Chicago, whoever you are, be grateful of the opportunity. There is no curse, there is no problem here. You got to be able to execute and finish games.” – Garrett on what he would tell players who don’t want to be drafted by the Browns. NO COMMENT Jackson declined comment on reports that he will hire an offensive coordinator in the offseason and hand over play-calling duties. INJURY REPORT Browns: Garrett got poked in the eye on the first play of the fourth quarter but returned to the game. Bears: RT Bobby Massie played through a slight knee injury he suffered in the first quarter. He exited late in the game, though Fox said he could have stayed in if needed. … G Josh Sitton (ankle) and TE Adam Shaheen (chest) were inactive. UP NEXT Browns: At Pittsburgh on Dec. 31. Bears: At Minnesota on Dec. 31. —
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