While it might be some standard offseason trope material to some, the Chicago Bears don't feel they're far away from contending again.
"Going back to a lot of the changes, we've had a lot of change," coach John Fox said at the Annual League Meeting in Phoenix on Wednesday, via CSN Chicago. "I think we're better for it. Unfortunately, you can't walk around with your chest out about that because of our record the last two years. But I have total confidence and (general manager Ryan Pace) has done an outstanding job and will continue to.
"I understand you have to win. And I finally feel like we're in striking distance."
It's hard not to just end this post by saying The Bears will go as Mike Glennon goes even if that is the answer. They are the latest team making the Brock Osweiler gamble, which ended with the Texans trading Osweiler and his salary to the Browns along with a second-round pick just to get rid of him. Glennon is a different quarterback even if that will be difficult for fans to understand. But will the results be any better?
Quarterback situation aside, there is a lot to like about the way Fox and Pace are building the Bears. The fully healthy version of their offensive line might develop into a top-10 unit this year. They have one of the better young backfields in football for the next few years at a very reasonable price. Leonard Floyd, had he remained healthy, would have been squarely in the conversation for defensive rookie of the year. On paper, the secondary should be formidable with the addition of Quintin Demps alongside Adrian Amos.
Prince Amukamara, when healthy, is also a good value signing.
Fox and Pace likely will have to prove all of the aforementioned complements true in some empirical way to remain with the team next year, and in the NFL that usually translates to wins. If Glennon can only get them so far, at least he has a strong foundation at his feet.