There will be a quantity-versus-quality debate in Chicago after the Bears' busy offseason. They doled out more than $100 million in contracts in an effort to spark last year's seven-win team, but did the Bears spend that money wisely? Let's take a look at Chicago in the 10th stop of NESN.com's 32-day tour through the NFL.
2009 Record: 7-9 (missed playoffs)
2010 Schedule Difficulty: Their opponents went a combined 129-127 (.504 winning percentage) in 2009, which is tied for the 14th most difficult schedule in the NFL.
Key Additions: Defensive end Julius Peppers, safety Major Wright (draft), running back Chester Taylor, safety Chris Harris, tight end Brandon Manumaleuna
Key Losses: Tackle Orlando Pace, defensive end Alex Brown, cornerback Nathan Vasher, running back Kevin Jones
Burning Question: Is the front office trying to kill Brian Urlacher? OK, that’s a little tongue in cheek, but if Urlacher has high blood pressure, he might want to take up meditation. The always-fiery linebacker doesn’t much appreciate it when his teammates don't put it all on the line, and that has already caused some tension between him and quarterback Jay Cutler. This offseason, the Bears shelled out a $91.5 million, six-year contract to defensive end Julius Peppers, who is wildly notorious for sleeping through games.
Urlacher had a frustrating 2009 season, which ended after he dislocated his wrist in the opener, and he recently had a public battle with legendary Bears running back Gale Sayers. Once Urlacher senses a lack of focus from Peppers — because that’s an absolute assurance — the middle linebacker could lose it again. A player of Urlacher's caliber deserves better from his organization.
2010 Outlook: By talent alone, the Bears have enough to contend for a division title, but they don’t have enough character to pull that off. Yeah, they were busy this offseason, but the moves were similar to the ones that have continuously doomed the Redskins. Cutler has phenomenal tools, but he won't accomplish anything of substance until he learns how to be a leader. That, right there, is the fine line between Chicago's successes and failures during Cutler's remaining four seasons under contract.
