Everybody in Chicago is trying to figure out how the Bears acquire the next Aaron Rodgers…. and that’s why they’re all fans. The truth is, players like Rodgers are incredibly rare, like once in a lifetime rare. His physical skill set combined with his photographic memory is truly unique.

However, players like Tom Brady are much easier to find. The goofy looking white boy drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft has arguably become the best player to ever put the pads on. Something many people don’t realize is just how close he became to not being that player. Had Atlanta kicked a field goal and Seattle chosen to run the ball on the goal line, EVERYTHING could be different. That’s why it’s fascinating.

Elite Quarterbacks Need Good Teams

As Bears fans continue to guess away at who next year’s quarterback will be there’s something everyone seems to be forgetting, football is a TEAM game. No one quarterback is going to come into Chicago and light the world on fire, that quarterback needs a quality coach and capable pieces around him to be successful. Exactly what Brady has.

Let’s look at the last few Super Bowl champions. Tom Brady won it this year and in 2015. He’s grown into an elite talent but most would attribute a lot of his success to the pieces around him. Peyton Manning won it last season relying heavily on an elite defense. In 2014 the Seattle Seahawks rode their historically good defense to the title. In 2013, it was the Baltimore Ravens and Joe Flacco. I could keep going, but all of these championship quarterbacks have something extremely common about them, they had very good teams and coaches. Manning was the only elite quarterback scouted when these players were drafted, that’s even further proof that balanced TEAMS win championships not elite quarterbacks alone. Sure, the man plays great but he’s also been surrounded by top-tier talent for YEARS. He’s isn’t some diamond in the rough, son of a virgin mother, he’s a fucking Michigan game manager that grew an extreme amount of confidence when he was put into the right situation.

There’s an interesting theory that a lot of people subscribe to, coaches and teams are actually what make quarterbacks great. Isn’t that a bolt of lightening out of left field?

Take Dak Prescott for example. The fifth-round quarterback won Offensive Rookie of the Year last season after his elite offensive line protected him and paved the way for Ezekiel Elliott to lead the league in rushing. Dez Bryant, a perennial Pro Bowl player, also had a lot to do with it. That’s why it makes me sick to hear “Bears should have taken Dak,” no they shouldn’t have. Prescott was a fit in Dallas, he wouldn’t have fit the same way in Chicago.

Finding the “RIGHT” Guy

With the most important off-season of recent memory upon us, Bears fans have to temper their fixation with the quarterback position. The quarterback, even though he touches the ball almost every play, is only one of eleven people on the field. As important as he is he can’t do shit without the other people on his team protecting him and paving the way for his success.

That’s why the large amount of salary cap space Chicago is carrying into 2017 shouldn’t be allocated towards finding that “elite quarterback,” instead management needs to focus their time on finding the “right quarterback.” Historically, the Bears are not a high-flying type of team, they aren’t going to score 50 points a game, they never really have. They tried to become one under Marc Trestman and look how that turned out….

The Chicago Bears are a run-first, defensive minded, franchise that is expected to line up on the field and punch opponents in the mouth. The blue collar mentality of this city is what drives the fandom and it’s been reflected in the image of the football team for decades, do not change that now.

When you sit around and debate who the best quarterback of the future is, remember Drew Brees, Eli Manning and Ben Rothelisburger all have rings and they’re all ranked in the top five for career interceptions for active QBs. The idea of winning a Super Bowl and eventually hoisting the Lombardi Trophy is only possible with the combination of SEVERAL FACTORS and only one of them is the quarterback. This is the part where the Bears have been messing up for years.

Same Problem For Years

Chicago has extensively searched for that one player to come in and change their franchise. Throughout the 90’s and most of the 2000’s they’ve searched and they’ve failed to get it right. The reason for the failure is somewhat clear. Instead of fixating yourself on one person, bring in groups of people until you find the right fit. The franchise’s attempt to label Jay Cutler the savoir of the future has now set the team back a few years. They failed to bring in any real competition for him and are now left pissing in the wind because they’ve finally realized he isn’t the guy. Let’s not make that same mistake again.

Here’s an example, take the number one pick Jared Goff and put him on the Cowboys for 2016. Think they’re still as successful?

Of course not.

If Ryan Pace wants to win, he’s going to need to find the right guy. That’s much different than simply going after who appears to be “the best” guy.

History has already taught us that.

The answer to the left tackle problem for the Bears is obvious, why aren’t they pursuing it? 

The Chicago Bears desperately need a quality left tackle, among other things. Anyone with a football brain can see that Charles Leno Jr. isn’t the long term answer especially if the team is going to deploy a young quarterback to take the helm in 2017. Ironically enough, right tackle is also a glaring weakness on the Bears.

So how does Ryan Pace fix this?

It’s actually pretty simple.

The Left Tackle Spot

Notably the most expensive position in the NFL, and definitely one of the most important, the left tackle spot is crucial for any team to have long term success… especially a team that doesn’t have an elite quarterback. Proof of this lies in the tackle grades from last season, is it really a surprise that Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers both have their tackles graded out in the top 5? Of course not. Everybody knows a quarterback needs to be protected to be successful and the left tackle is responsible for the defenders the right-handers can’t see coming.  Chicago’s duo of Leno and Bobby Massie graded out a 41st and 43rd, respectively, at BARELY “average.”

There’s a reason why Massie was available in free agency and Leno was a seventh round pick, and it’s because they are both backups. Elite left tackles almost never hit the free agent market, the Bears learned that with Jermon Bushrod. After signing a five-year deal with Chicago worth a ridiculous $35 milliion he was released due to multiple injuries with two years remaining. The Bears thought they found a diamond in the rough but Bushrod turned out to be damaged goods. (let’s hope Pernell McPhee doesn’t turn out the same way) Again, finding elite left tackles in free agency is incredibly rare.

So, how about the draft? Well you can start by saying this year is very weak for offensive tackles. Most of the top prospects are predicted to play right, rather than left, because they all seemingly have physical attributes that are expected to restrict them at the next level. Cam Robinson, from Alabama, is widely considered the best football prospect coming out but he has a few concerns off the field that will likely restrict him from landing in the top 10. Point being there is no left tackle to draft, even at number three, that isn’t going to fix the Bears’ problem.

The Bears are reportedly raising their ticket prices by an average of 2.6%, you gotta be kiddin’ me, right?

As a season ticket holder and a disgruntled fan, I feel the need to voice my opinion on this preposterous news making its way around Chicago today. The increase is obviously a response to the loss in revenue during the last couple seasons under John Fox. Kinda like when your dad loses his job then comes home and tries to charge you rent.

After keeping the prices flat for two straight years, the McCaskey’s selfish reputation and their total lack of compassion for the fans is in the spotlight once again.

Why Bears Fans Should Be Furious About This

First of all, the team absolutely sucks. There’s a reason why Chicago is drafting their highest since 1972 and it’s primarily because they are terrible. Not only were they laughed off the field in 2016, after many media outlets predicted just that, but they lack starting caliber players at crucial positions … like quarterback, left tackle and cornerback. This isn’t new either, the Bears have finished 4th in their division three years in a row now.

Secondly, Soldier Field blows too.

The tailgating options are dreadful. The only real places to tailgate are the official parking lots of the stadium and McCormick place. The official lots require a parking pass you normally have to buy off the black market because they’re never available anywhere else and McCormick place is constantly changing their rules recently banning “beer pong” from their lot. What is tailgating with no beer pong?

Third, the price is already ridiculous. In August of last year TiqIQ released data indicating Chicago already had the fourth highest ticket price in the league. Imagine how that news was received and it was before the Bears shit the bed on their way to three wins this past season. Did we mention there’s a 20+ year waiting list for season tickets and the fans’ only option for purchase is off the secondary market? No real need to elaborate, if you’re a Bears fan you already know.

The economics geek in the room is going to be the first one to say, “it’s simple supply and demand, can’t blame the Bears.” Oh yes I fucking can. Chicago has been the third largest sports market in the country for decades, yet Soldier Field is the third smallest stadium in the NFL. Think about that for a moment. The population in Green Bay is roughly 105,000, yet Lambeau Field seats 20,000 more fans that Soldier Field? That makes very little sense. What makes even less sense … the Bears don’t even own it. The City of Chicago owns it and they had their chance to drastically increase the size of Soldier Field with a 2002 renovation … instead they eliminated 5,000 seats! The stadium is also too small to host a Super Bowl because it only seats 61k and the NFL’s minimum requirement is 70k, so you can throw that out the window as well.

Did I mention the Bears’ franchise has the third most wins in NFL history? That’s proof alone that their popularity is through the roof. Why the hell is their stadium so small?

This is the part where I show the economics geek the definition of the phrase “rip off.”

Season Ticket Holder Experience

As a current season ticket holder, I support my team. All of us do. We show up bright and early every game to fly our flags and wear our colors. We normally park in McCormick place, when it’s open.

Lately though, the group has dwindled.

What used to be a group 10 cars that always parked close to the “DJ” and depended on each other for certain essentials no longer exists. Repeano is a restaurant owner. He was the guy who made unbelievable tacos every week for just a few dollar donation, allowed us to leave our food at home to save room in the car. Mike was the bar tender, he had the perfect solution for fans that showed up hungover at 6am and needed a Bloody Mary to get going. The group of doctors drive the Bears-themed U-Haul and always break out the 10 person beer bong after breakfast. What used to be a dedicate group of fans has now turned into a scarce group of acquaintances. Since the team has hit rock bottom the only real chance of getting everyone together all season is opening day. After that it’s a crap shoot.

For the last three season I haven’t been able to GIVE my tickets away. Late in November and December nobody in Chicago wants to go when the team is this bad, nobody. This forces season ticket holders to sit at home, knowing their seats are empty, and contemplate if they’re worth buying again next season or not. Fortunately for the Bears most do, and it’s primarily because most fear falling off that list which takes 20 years to get back on.

It’s Not Just The Tickets

Did you know that the Chicago Bears have one of the strictest media policies in the entire league? This basically means a large amount of information consumed by reporters all across the city isn’t allowed to be shared with the fans throughout the season. This is why it feels like you’ve been kept in the dark when it comes to information about the team. Primary examples include the extent of the Kevin White’s original injury and the cover-up of the Daniel Braverman injury earlier this year.

The members of the organization, and the team, may argue that this secretive way of operating gives them a competitive advantage, but the three consecutive finishes at the bottom of the division would suggest otherwise.

What it really does is forces a disconnect between the team and their fan base. They did it with Lovie Smith, nobody cared about Marc Trestman, and they’re doing it again with Fox. The Bears are notorious for keeping the secrets of their failure well hidden from the public and facilitating all their information through Brad Biggs when they’re finally forced to speak. If there was a poll taken right now the city would fire the owner without blinking twice.

A Big F-U To The Fans  

The part that hurts the most is you’re the one who suffers. Not Virginia McCaskey and her $10 million house or John Fox and his “try not to lose” mentality. It’s you.

You’re the one who won’t be able to ever afford a game to watch your favorite team play.

You’re the one who will finally have season tickets one day, and then not be able to give them away if you can’t make a game, after you spend a ridiculous amount of your hard earned money on them.

You’re the one who will show up on game day and realize it’s $50 more just to park your car.

You’re the one who just witnessed the worst season in your team’s franchise history only to turn around and pay 2.6% more for tickets.

I’m sure there will be some spin added to this to trick fans into thinking it’s justified in some way, but it’s not. It’s a headline that will spread through Chicago for a day and then be swept under the rug after you swipe your card at the ticket booth.

The Bears don’t care about you, they only care about targeting the small percentage of people in Chicago that can afford the ridiculous prices for seats in their tiny stadium.

Today is an embarrassing day to be a Bears season ticket holder.