It’s been a rough stretch for a handful of teams since the 2018 season ended. Here’s a look at five clubs that have not had the best of things so far in 2019.
How about equal time? Recently, there was a ranking of the five NFL teams who enjoyed the best offseasons this year. The Indianapolis Colts earned the top spot on the obviously subjective topic.
But now it’s time to come full circle. Which five franchises have had a somewhat-rough go of it the last few months? In some instances, the bad news has been minimal. For a few others, it’s been a less-than-memorable stretch as clubs prepare for the league’s 100th season.
This is obviously never a popular topic. However, keep something in mind when looking at the teams mentioned. You will notice a division champion from a year ago. But just because a club didn’t have a productive few months leading into mini-camps, OTAs, etc., doesn’t mean it’s in for a long regular season. And also keep in mind that maybe just one or two examples may result in a “bad offseason.” Which brings us to …
5. Chicago Bears
Per usual, general manager Ryan Pace certainly added his share of free agents this offseason as the team looks to repeat as NFC North champions. And it’s a talented roster that did not necessarily need a lot of help. The addition of one-time Green Bay Packers’ safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who was dealt to the Redskins last midseason, hopes to offset the free-agent loss of Adrian Amos, who signed with the Pack.
Former Seattle Seahawks’ performer Mike Davis joins Tarik Cohen in the backfield, as does a pair of rookie running backs in David Montgomery (3-Iowa State) and Kerrith Whyte Jr. (7-Florida Atlantic). Pace also added two cornerbacks in the draft — Duke Shelley (6-Kansas State) and Stephen Denmark (7b-Valdosta State) — as well as former New York Jets’ defender Buster Skrine.
But could the trade of workhorse running back Jordan Howard to the Philadelphia Eagles come back to haunt the club? More so, does the departure of celebrated defensive coordinator Vic Fangio — now the head coach of the Denver Broncos — prove to be a huge setback? The latter shapes up a big loss no matter how you slice it.