There seemed to be a lot of hope heading into 2014 that Chicago would build off of the 8-8 season achieved during in-depthMarc Trestman’s first year on the job. But a lot of things went wrong, players started turning on each other and, in the end, instead of building on his first year of work, the team imploded, ensuring Trestman would not see a third season.

Now there’s a lot to be fixed. Brandon Marshall is gone, traded to the Jets. A long-proud defense has been decimated by age and injuries, producing the worst two points allowed totals in team history the last two seasons. And then there’s Jay Cutler – is the enigmatic QB the guy to take Chicago to the next level?

Jake Perper, founder and head writer for Bears Backer, shares his thoughts on what it will take to get Chicago back on top.

Zoneblitz: This team went from 8-8 to 5-11 in a season that started with some solid expectations. What went wrong?

Perper: A lot of things went wrong with the Bears in 2014. Marc Trestman got away from what the Bears did so well the previous season with Matt Forte. The running game was basically non-existent at times which led to even more pressure on Jay Cutler and his lucrative contract extension each week. Receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery were hobbled in the beginning of the season with ankle injuries and the offensive line was banged up. Overall, the Bears got off to slow starts in almost every game and Trestman’s play-calling became way too predictable. Once the playoffs were out of sight the frustrations started to kick in even more and that led to a lot of bad things in the locker room and on the field.

Zoneblitz: Phil Emery got three seasons and Marc Trestman was let go after two – do you agree with those decisions?

Perper: Trestman like I said above got way too over his head with play-calling. His staff including Aaron Kromer got out of hand by talking to reporters outside of Halas Hall about Cutler in a negative way. Trestman had to go after such a disappointing year and the way he lost control of his team. Emery had some mediocre drafts outside of the picks of Kyle Long and Alshon Jeffery and the Cutler contract extension along with some bad off-season moves in 2014 plagued him. The Bears wanted to start fresh and that’s exactly what they did with these moves.

Zoneblitz: What do you think of the decisions to hire John Fox and Ryan Pace as the new coach and GM?

Perper: At first I was a little hesitant considering Fox had just been fired by the Broncos, a team that he was so successful coaching. However, I think he has done great things turning around teams and really getting the focus back. That’s exactly what needs to happen in all three phases for the Bears to improve in 2015 and Fox seems to be the man for the job. Pace is a young guy who deserved a GM job and I’m glad the Bears did their homework and found him. He knows talent and could be the guy who finally takes the Bears over the top in due time. To replace Emery and Trestman with these two guys is a great move in my mind.

Zoneblitz: What’s up with the Bears wanting to trade Brandon Marshall?

Perper: Brandon Marshall had some off-the-field issues in 2014 that led to his trade to the New York Jets. He picked a fight with kicker Robbie Gould in the locker room after a blowout loss to Miami, he challenged a Lions fan to a fight via Twitter, he threw Jay Cutler under the bus by saying he would have buyer’s remorse about the quarterback’s contract too. He was injured often last season which led to his low numbers, but clearly general manager Ryan Pace saw what the Broncos and Dolphins saw previously, that his off-the-field distractions trumped his on-field production. He was a great player on the grass for the Bears, but his problems off of it led to his departure.

Zoneblitz: Jay Cutler has been roundly criticized – is it warranted? What are your thoughts on Cutler as the QB of the team?

Perper: For his career, I understand some of the criticism because every year we keep saying and thinking Cutler will take that next step into the elite category. However, he never does. Does that mean he is a bad quarterback? Absolutely not. I still think in the right system and with solid personnel he is a heck of a quarterback. Last season, the spotlight was on him way too much and the Bears decided to not run the offense through Forte instead Cutler had to carry the team when it was down often and it made him look even worse. The media bashes Cutler and last year it was warranted slightly with his big contract, but I think this is the year he should be judged more under Fox.

Zoneblitz: Just one year after Chicago put up 445 points as an offense, the team sunk to 319 in 2014. What caused this and what needs to be done to take advantage of some of the league’s best skill players on this unit?

Perper: The Bears need to get back to the basics on offense. They need to run the ball to eat clock and have more of a conservative vertical passing game. Using Matt Forte, Ka’Deem Carey and any other back they add to carry the offense will be wise in my mind. The 445 points in 2013 was largely due to the fact that Trestman’s offense hadn’t been seen yet in the NFL. Once teams studied film and played against the Bears last season it was rather easy to figure out. Trestman is still a solid coordinator, but he has a lot of learning to do in Baltimore. The Bears have to get back to running the ball in 2015.

Zoneblitz: The defense actually improved by 36 points allowed in 2014, but the last two seasons have been the worst in the Bears’ long history in that category – what went wrong and what needs to happen to fix it?

Perper: Mel Tucker was coordinating some bad defenses that’s what happened. Simple and plain. The personnel was weak, old and not very deep. Do the Bears have solid pieces on defense? Yes. But the age did the Bears in and injuries and lack of depth really made them look way worse than what we’ve been used to seeing from them in the past. They need to build around second-year corner Kyle Fuller, defensive ends Willie Young, Lamarr Houston and Jared Allen and defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff. The draft and free agency is where Fox will find his guys. The defense will be much improved under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in the 3-4 base scheme.

Zoneblitz: What Bears have a chance to break out in 2015?

Perper: It’s hard to say right now, but I would think 2015 would be more of a transitional season for the Bears. Fox will be simply trying to instill his methods throughout the team and that’s what needs to be done. Will they be better than 5-11? I certainly believe so. But the defense needs to add talent for the future and the offense just needs to simply turn things around.

Zoneblitz: What would you like to see the team do in free agency and the draft?

Perper: Adding a pass rushing linebacker is the top priority with the new 3-4 scheme under Fangio set to start. Bolstering the secondary’s depth (Antrel Rolle from the Giants already has been added), wide receiving core and offensive line depth is also a must. Also, finding a young future replacement for Forte is important since he is a free agent at the end of this season.

Zoneblitz: So who are the real Bears? 8-8, competitive with theoretical upside? Or 5-11 and just not very good? How far is this team from contending for a playoff spot?

Perper: I believe the Bears have upside, but like I mentioned above 2015 will be more of a transitional season. They struggled to a 5-11 record in 2014 because of many different issues. The goal is to start fresh with a new staff and rid themselves of any of those issues. Can they be 8-8 or 9-7? I think so. But they can’t be expected to be much better with so many new faces on the staff already and new faces on the roster coming in through the draft and free agency.

Follow Jake Perper on Twitter at: @BearsBacker
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