The Bear’s Den, December 30, 2017

BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!

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BEARRRSSSS

Video: What's Vic Fangio's future with the Bears? - Chicago Tribune - The Tribune's Dan Wiederer and Rich Campbell discuss Vic Fangio's future with the Bears.

Kane: Health, then better preparation on Adam Shaheen’s mind for Bears offseason - - - Bears rookie tight end Adam Shaheen said Thursday his first focus for the offseason is “to get healthy.”

Podcast: Saying goodbye to 2017 and likely, John Fox - Chicago Tribune - Welcome to the weekly Bear Download podcast with Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer.

Lincicome: What should the Bears want in a new coach? It's simple, just be ... - Chicago Tribune - The list of great Bears coaches is as short as the list of great Bears quarterbacks, one of each, more by chance than design, though the coincidence is hard to ignore. As the echoes of infrequent glory further fade, questions must be asked. Helpfully, the answers are provided.

Campbell: Vic Fangio's uncertain future leaves questions about repaired Bears defense - Chicago Tribune - Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s contract expires after the season, and the only way for the Bears to ensure he stays is to make him the next head coach. That leaves questions about the direction of their improved defense.

Rosenbloom: Bears' next coach might be across the field from them on Sunday - Chicago Tribune - Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur will get a job off one good Case Keenum season the way Adam Gase got the Dolphins job off one decent Jay Cutler season. It might not seem like much, but Gase made the playoffs his first season, and the Bears have to reach the postseason next year. Have to.

Week 17: Can the Bears somehow solve the vaunted Vikings defense? - Chicago Tribune - Vikings are playing for a playoff bye while the Bears preparing for a tumultuous offseason with the future of their coaching staff in doubt as the team strives to develop quarterback Mitch Trubisky.

Kane: John Fox on what’s in store for coaching future - ‘We’re not quite there yet’ - Chicago Tribune - John Fox completed what most expect to be his last practice as Bears coach Friday but still has one more game to lead.

Wiederer, Campbell & Biggs: Three years into a massive rebuild, here's what Bears have to show for it - Chicago Tribune - Three years after a housecleaning at Halas Hall and promises of brighter days, the Bears reach the end of 2017 with a daunting question still hovering. … Are they any better?

Kane: Danny Trevathan, Bears defense out ‘to end season right’ - Chicago Tribune - There’s a game to be played Sunday before the Bears’ expected main event to ring in the New Year.

Finley: John Fox's finale? Three years later, Bears again on the 'clean edge of change' - Chicago Sun-Times - Sunday, the Bears will face the Vikings in their permanent home, U.S. Bank Stadium, in what figures to be head coach John Fox’s final game.

Jahns: Seeing is believing - Six examples of where Bears see growth in Mitch Trubisky - Chicago Sun-Times - Adam L. Jahns' "Inside the Huddle" column appears in game-day editions of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Finley: Four Bears questions - Why John Fox has never worried about NFL unemployment - Chicago Sun-Times - Since John Fox started as the Giants’ defensive coordinator in 1997, he’s been unemployed for exactly 16 days — only four before the Bears hired him.

Potash: John Fox sticks to the script after Bears' final practice - 'Finish strong' - Chicago Sun-Times - Whether it’s the last game of the season or last game as Bears coach, he approached this one as he has every other game.

Potash: Bears vs. Vikings - What to Watch 4 - Chicago Sun-Times - Key matchup, what's trending, key player and X-factor.

Potash: Opening statement - What Bears GM Ryan Pace needs to say Monday morning - Chicago Sun-Times - The impending coaching change has been assumed for weeks. But it’s up to Pace to act quickly, purposely and with authority.

Morrissey: Goodbye to John Fox, the coach we hardly knew - Sun Times - While everybody outside our sad bubble of a city smiles at the mention of the Bears' coach, we shrug quizzically. Did we miss something?

LeGere: New coach or not, Chicago Bears' defense has solid foundation for next year - Daily Herald - If, as expected, head coach John Fox and his staff are fired after Sunday's season finale against the Vikings in Minnesota, the next Bears coach is going to inherit an impressive defense.

Game Preview: How the Chicago Bears Can Beat the Minnesota Vikings - Da Bears Brothers - In their weekly game preview, Da Bears Brothers explain how the Bears can achieve the impossible and beat the Minnesota Vikings in the season finale.

Stankevitz: Nick Kwiatkoski is playing like he could be an important piece for the Bears’ future - NBC Sports Chicago - Nick Kwiatkoski is playing his best football as his second year in the NFL comes to a close this weekend.

Under Center Podcast: The best and worst of 2017 - NBC Sports Chicago - JJ Stankevitz and John “Moon” Mullin close out the 2017 season with some superlatives for the Bears, including a look back at some big-time plays from Mitch Trubisky and one unbelievable mistake from September.

Stankevitz: Progress? John Fox argues it's there, even if the Bears' record doesn't show it - NBC Sports Chicago - While the Bears' record under John Fox doesn't indicate much progress, the third-year coach argued on Friday the team has made steps in the right direction.

Hub Arkush: Vic Fangio should be next head coach of Chicago Bears - Pro Football Weekly - Bears could do a lot worse than promoting Fangio to replace Fox

Hub Arkush: Nothing left for Bears to prove in Minnesota - Pro Football Weekly - Keeping Trubisky healthy is all that matters

The Pick Is In: Bears at Vikings - ChicagoBears.com - NFL analysts from around the country have made their final picks of the 2017 regular season as the Bears finish the season on the road against Minnesota in Week 17. Keep track of their weekly record here on ChicagoBears.com

Players to watch: Bears-Vikings - ChicagoBears.com - Larry Mayer and Eli Kaberon discuss the Bears players they'll be watching on both sides of the ball Sunday against the Vikings, including rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.

Perez: Bears TE Adam Shaheen says game has slowed down for him - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears rookie TE Adam Shaheen has a bright future after experiencing the highs and lows of his first year as a pro

Perez: 7 key Chicago Bears entering Week 17 with expiring contracts - Bears Wire - A look at seven Chicago Bears who will enter unrestricted free agency this offseason

Cox: Ryan Pace expected to receive contract extension this offseason - Bears Wire - NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that he expects the Chicago Bears general manager to receive a contact extension.

2018 NFL Mock Draft: Bears go defense in 1st round of 4-round mock - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears 2018 NFL Mock Draft

Ratke: Vikings center Pat Elflein misses 2nd straight practice - Vikings Wire - The rookie center has been a big reason for Minnesota's offensive line success.

Joniak: Keys To Bears-Vikings - CBS Chicago - The Bears (5-10) are on the road to face the Vikings (12-3) on Sunday at noon.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Report - A Ryan Pace contract extension is coming - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears are expected to fire head coach John Fox as soon as the 2017 season ends on Sunday. Word of his firing may leak out before Black Monday, but by Monday at the latest, general...

Link's Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings Preview: What to Watch For - Windy City Gridiron - The Vikings host the Bears in the 2017 season finale. Can the Bears play spoiler to their division rival?

Wiltfong: Chicago Bears Injury Report: Josh Sitton and Bobby Massie are doubtful - Windy City Gridiron - This is it. The final injury report for what will be the final game of the 2017 Chicago Bears. If all goes according to plan, this will also be the last game in the John Fox era. Black Monday...

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