Another long winded post incoming
The issue now is the same issue late last season and the playoffs. Offense. It is so completely easy to figure out and somehow, after decades of being a defense first and only franchise, fans still don't get it. Mitch can throw one pass an entire game and some fans love him. A player like Mack can get pressures that affect plays and because he doesn't get the sack, those same fans will shit on him. People completely ignored the sack Mack got on the Chargers last drive that helped give the Bears a chance.
There were two series in the first half today where Mack was a force and people are all "WHERE ARE YOU MACK??? DEEERRRRR"
Look at todays game. The Lions have 13 points. That is great no matter how you stretch it. But once again, 4th qtr, when an offense can seal a game with sustained drives and Odin willing, points, you suddenly don't stress the D as much because time and win probability is on your side. The Bears D week in and week out give you a chance to win statistically.
The Bears D gives up points at the worst time because when your offense is this bad, it's always the worst time. Late in games when you just need a drive to seal it, you shit your pants. You end up asking your defense to win it for you 2-3 times after repeated 3&outs or at the very best, 15-20 yard scoreless drives.
Bears Points allowed through 9 games last season 175. This season 157
Going into this season, most people expected regression. It made complete sense. Impossible to keep up that kind of TO production. Hard for defenses to stay on top and they lost Fangio. Then they lose Hicks, which is major and these guys have to go out there week after week knowing damn well their offense is garbage, wont do their part and they'll miss the playoffs because of it. Mack isn't inspired. I think that's pretty clear. But when his team is in it, he plays the part. No way am i trading a premier pass rusher to give this bum ass GM more ways to fuck up the team.
Give this defense middle of the road offensive production and you're in the SB conversation. You can do that with a NFL QB, a TE and better LT. I have no faith in Nagy but i still haven't seen this team with a real NFL QB. I see WRs open every week. I'd like to see an offense ran by a QB who can hit them in stride and have a coordinator/HC and teammates who believe in him.
Mitch absolutely crushed this teams chances at making the Mack trade mean anything but it's salvageable.