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What makes a Super Bowl contender? When Pro Football Focus analyzed the 28 teams that played in the conference championship games for the 2007 to 2013 seasons, it found that, on average, 40 percent of those rosters were composed of good/elite players (you had to play 250-plus snaps to qualify). Using that methodology, PFF determined how many above-average players stood between your team and contending for this year's Super Bowl.
The Best, Worst Values
by Kevin Seifert, ESPN.com
Best -- DT Stephen Paea: He started 16 games for the first time in his career in 2014, amassing 33 tackles and six sacks (both career highs). In the final year of his rookie contract, Paea earned a salary of $877,623. To put that in perspective, Washington Redskins DT Jason Hatcher earned $10 million for 5.5 sacks this season, and the Bears had 14 defenders who earned more than $1 million. Chicago would be wise to re-sign Paea and then build their interior defense around him.
Worst -- DE Lamarr Houston: Quarterback Jay Cutler's price tag and performance are well known, but at least the Bears got 15 games out of him. Meanwhile, Houston, Chicago's highest-paid defender in 2014 ($9 million), played just eight games, accumulating 11 tackles and one sack -- after which he tore his ACL while celebrating. (Fellow Bears DE Willie Young made $4 million for 10 sacks in 2014.) Houston was advertised as a run-stopper, but the Bears' run defense ranked 20th in the NFL before his injury.
Grading the QB
by Kevin Seifert, ESPN.com
Jay Cutler was the NFL's highest-paid player in 2014, earning $22.5 million for a disastrous 24-turnover season that included a one-game benching and the firing of the coach (Marc Trestman) hired to elevate his career. Cutler is guaranteed $15.5 million for 2014, meaning the Bears will take a significant financial hit if they release him. (A trade could mitigate the impact.) The mess is compounded by the fact that there are no viable replacements on the roster.
Positional Needs
by Michael C. Wright, ESPN.com
Safety: Chris Conte played on just 44 percent of Chicago's defensive snaps in 2014, and his injury history makes it unlikely the Bears will re-sign him. Ryan Mundy -- who finished the season with a team-high 103 tackles and a career-high four picks -- is a serviceable starter. But the rest of the group (Danny McCray, Brock Vereen and Anthony Walters) is primarily suited to serve as role players.
Cornerback: Despite playing in all 16 games, Tim Jennings, 31, posted zero interceptions for the first time since 2007. After signing a contract worth $11.8 million guaranteed last offseason, Jennings isn't going anywhere but is perhaps better suited for the nickel corner role. The Bears aren't likely to bring back 33-year-old free-agent-to-be Charles Tillman, so they could use an experienced corner to play opposite Kyle Fuller.
Offensive line: The Bears would be wise to re-sign center Brian de la Puente and groom him to be the heir apparent to Roberto Garza, who has one year left on his deal. Jordan Mills could use some competition at right tackle. Too often this season, the offense was forced to help out Mills with a tight end and/or running back, which led to predictability in the offense. The Bears are likely stuck with LT Jermon Bushrod's hefty contract for at least another season.
The Best, Worst Values
by Kevin Seifert, ESPN.com
Best -- DT Stephen Paea: He started 16 games for the first time in his career in 2014, amassing 33 tackles and six sacks (both career highs). In the final year of his rookie contract, Paea earned a salary of $877,623. To put that in perspective, Washington Redskins DT Jason Hatcher earned $10 million for 5.5 sacks this season, and the Bears had 14 defenders who earned more than $1 million. Chicago would be wise to re-sign Paea and then build their interior defense around him.
Worst -- DE Lamarr Houston: Quarterback Jay Cutler's price tag and performance are well known, but at least the Bears got 15 games out of him. Meanwhile, Houston, Chicago's highest-paid defender in 2014 ($9 million), played just eight games, accumulating 11 tackles and one sack -- after which he tore his ACL while celebrating. (Fellow Bears DE Willie Young made $4 million for 10 sacks in 2014.) Houston was advertised as a run-stopper, but the Bears' run defense ranked 20th in the NFL before his injury.
Grading the QB
by Kevin Seifert, ESPN.com
Jay Cutler was the NFL's highest-paid player in 2014, earning $22.5 million for a disastrous 24-turnover season that included a one-game benching and the firing of the coach (Marc Trestman) hired to elevate his career. Cutler is guaranteed $15.5 million for 2014, meaning the Bears will take a significant financial hit if they release him. (A trade could mitigate the impact.) The mess is compounded by the fact that there are no viable replacements on the roster.
Positional Needs
by Michael C. Wright, ESPN.com
Safety: Chris Conte played on just 44 percent of Chicago's defensive snaps in 2014, and his injury history makes it unlikely the Bears will re-sign him. Ryan Mundy -- who finished the season with a team-high 103 tackles and a career-high four picks -- is a serviceable starter. But the rest of the group (Danny McCray, Brock Vereen and Anthony Walters) is primarily suited to serve as role players.
Cornerback: Despite playing in all 16 games, Tim Jennings, 31, posted zero interceptions for the first time since 2007. After signing a contract worth $11.8 million guaranteed last offseason, Jennings isn't going anywhere but is perhaps better suited for the nickel corner role. The Bears aren't likely to bring back 33-year-old free-agent-to-be Charles Tillman, so they could use an experienced corner to play opposite Kyle Fuller.
Offensive line: The Bears would be wise to re-sign center Brian de la Puente and groom him to be the heir apparent to Roberto Garza, who has one year left on his deal. Jordan Mills could use some competition at right tackle. Too often this season, the offense was forced to help out Mills with a tight end and/or running back, which led to predictability in the offense. The Bears are likely stuck with LT Jermon Bushrod's hefty contract for at least another season.