The Chicago Bears are entering a new era with head coach Marc Trestman taking over for Love Smith and now that he has had an offseason to work with the team, quarterback Jay Cutler is looking very good in the new offense and the team could have some explosive production in 2013 as they change up what has been going on over the past few seasons.
Trestman comes in after working in the CFL and he is considered a quarterback's coach when it comes to offense and that should help Cutler this season and he will get his first action on Friday night in the preseason against the Bears. The offensive line is the biggest issue for the offense now after Cutler got banged around last season and the play of Roberto Garza, James Brown, Eben Britton, J'Marcus Webb and Matt Slauson as well as rookie Kyle Long will be the determining factor for success this year.
Matt Forte is looking to have a big season and last year Brandon Marshall showed why he is one of the most productive receivers in the league. The Bears have a number of questions heading into the season and one of them has to do with the player Cutler likes to throw to the most in Brandon Marshall, as he underwent his third hip surgery in the past four years, according to NFL.com. Marshall returned to practice on Tuesday and said that while there will be no issues with him playing in 2013, he will likely have problems after his career is over. He said it won't hurt him running routes with Cutler and that it was caught in time so it wouldn't interfere with the season.
Marshall put up huge numbers with the Bears last season with 118 catches for 1,508 yards and now that the team has a new offensive mind in Trestman as well as Martellus Bennett at tight end, he is expecting even more in the offense. Marshall said that he likes what Trestman has been doing and that he is "excited" to see what he can do when he is fully healthy. Marshall said that offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer and coach Trestman have done a good job of bringing in new ideas and that their leadership has been good for the Bears.
Bennett has been a solid player for the Bears over the past few seasons but his $16.2 million contract extension may not live up to his production of 35 catches for 480 yards and two touchdowns over 17 games during that span and Trestman could decide to move on. Cutler and Bennett have had a good relationship, but Bennett needs to produce more to be a prime player in the offense. Hester will likely be able to stick around due to the fact that he is one of the best returners of all time, but he is going to be shifted out of the offense this season and his $2 million salary may be too much for a player who just is on special teams. The 30-year-old scored three touchdowns in 2011 and could use a few explosive returns in 2013. The Bears won in Week 17 last season but missed out on the playoffs to the Minnesota Vikings.
