Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Chicago won 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Offseason Moves:

The Chicago Bears have addressed their biggest area of concern, the offensive line, with the signing of left tackle Jermon Bushrod and drafting guard Kyle Long in the first round. They also gave Jay Cutler another viable option in the middle of the field in the athletic tight end Martellus Bennett, who is coming off of a solid season where he registered 55 catches, 626 yards, and five touchdowns.

On defensive the Bears lost Brian Urlacher , but signed D.J Williams, a very talented linebacker who is coming off a shortened season due to failing drug tests, to compete for Urlacher’s spot. If Williams doesn’t have any off the field issues he should be a great addition to the defense who may be on their last leg to a championship run. The other linebacker who should be in play to start for the Bears is rookie Khaseem Greene, my favorite linebacker in the 2013 draft class. Green isn’t the best athlete, but what he lakes in pure athleticism he makes up for in field vision, cover skills, and instincts. He should be a perfect fit for the Bears defense.

Why the Bears finish last in the NFC North:

The Bears have a ton of experience and a talented roster, but how much do they have left in the tank? Maybe new head coach Marc Trestman energizes the team for one or two more productive seasons, but I’m skeptical of their potential in this division because of the team’s overall age and because there are still question marks about the team’s offensive line.

The last two seasons the Bears just missed the playoffs after strong starts, mostly due to Cutler missing games due to injury. With the additions the Lions and Vikings have made this offseason, and an already talented roster in place in Green Bay, I don’t feel that the Bears have done enough to finish ahead of any of the teams in the division. I expect them to take a step back, even with a very talented quarterback in Jay Cutler, who is a lot better than he’s given credit for.

Why the Bears will win the NFC North:

As I mentioned in the introduction, each team has a realistic chance of winning this division. With that said, the Bears win games, because the team has one of the best defenses in the NFL, certainly the best in the division, and because the defense can force turnovers. Anytime you have a team that can do that in the NFL you have a chance to win. If they can continue to elude father time and Jay Cutler has better protection, the Bears will be as good as anyone in the division. Let’s not forget they added Martellus Bennett, who will upgrade one of the worst tight end units in the NFL to pair with Alshon Jeffery, Devin Hester, and Brandon Marshall.

Sep 9, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions linebackers DeAndre Levy (54) and Justin Durant (52) tackle St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson (39) during first quarter the at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

That could lead to one or both leaving town and it is possible they could get looks from the Chicago Bears.

Durant is one of several linebackers Jeff Dickerson listed as potential Bears free agent targets on ESPNChicago.com:

The Bears made a run at Durant two years ago in free agency before he signed a two-year, $5.5 million deal with Detroit following the NFL lockout. Durant has played well in a Lions’ uniform, registering 103 total tackles, while missing limited time due to injuries.

Levy is also mentioned, although less prominently:

The outside linebacker has started at least ten games in each of his four NFL seasons in Detroit. His best year came in 2011 when he tallied 109 tackles.

Losing Durant would hurt. Losing him to the Bears would hurt even more. He has expressed an interest in staying with the Lions but it remains to be seen if that interest is reciprocated by the Lions, or if it is even financially feasible. Durant has been far more productive and effective than Levy so if the Lions are forced to choose between the two, it should be Durant who stays in Honolulu blue.

Dec. 23, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

It is starting to look like there will definitely be a new head coach in the NFC North this year. The Chicago Bears have not made an announcement regarding Lovie Smith’s future, or lack thereof, with the team but recent reports suggest Smith will not be on the Bears’ sideline next year.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bears have sent out forms to other clubs seeking permission to interview head coaching candidates.

That’s a move that only makes sense if there is a need for a head coach. It sounds like it’s only a matter of time before official word comes from the Bears organization that Lovie Smith has been fired. One early name that has surfaced as a possible replacement is Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.

The Bears got their must-win in Detroit yesterday but it wasn’t enough to get into the playoffs with the Minnesota Vikings beating the Green Bay Packers to clinch the NFC’s sixth seed. That makes two years in a row that the Bears looked to be in good position to make the playoffs at the midway point of the season only to be sitting at home come playoff time.

[UPDATE]
That didn’t take long. Multiple reports say Lovie Smith has indeed been fired.

Now multiple reports, including from @danpompeiand @rapsheet, that Bears have fired Lovie Smith.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 31, 2012