A new coach in Matt Nagy. A developing franchise quarterback in Mitchell Trubisky. A defense set in place barring another upgrade or two while led by one of the NFL’s top defensive coordinators in Vic Fangio. The pieces are there, and there are no more excuses for Bears’ general manager Ryan Pace: he must absolutely nail 2018’s free agency.
Anything less than a No. 1 receiver (hello Allen Robinson!) and a general complete fix of Chicago’s offensive weaponry will reasonably be considered a failure by Pace. Expectations have changed. Falling flat on one’s face when the time to contend is of the essence isn’t ideal.