Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
When will we find out whether Bears greats Jimbo Covert and/or Ed Sprinkle were voted into the Hall of Fame?
Trevor P.
Streamwood, Illinois
That announcement will be made live on "Good Morning Football" this coming Wednesday, beginning at 6 a.m. (CT) on NFL Network. A special blue-ribbon panel spent more than 10 hours at the Hall of Fame in Canton this past Wednesday discussing 20 senior-era candidates. They eventually selected 10 to be inducted as part of a special 20-member Class of 2020 that commemorates the NFL's 100th season. As you mentioned, two former Bears greats in tackle Jimbo Covert and defensive end Ed Sprinkle are among the senior-era candidates. Hopefully they'll get some good news on Wednesday. I think they're both very deserving of the prestigious honor.
Which Bears player do you think showed the most improvement this season?
Roger F.
Michigan
I think inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski showed the most improvement of any Bears player in 2019. In his first three years with the team from 2016-18, he was a solid downhill tackler and dependable player. But this past season Kwiatkoski stepped up his level of play and showed that he could produce impact plays, whether it was a diving interception against the Lions, a sack on a blitz up the middle against the Vikings or a safety when he burst through a hole to drop Minnesota running back Mike Boone in the end zone.
Who is the Bears' longest tenured coach?
Dave A.
Morton Grove, Illinois
Safeties coach Sean Desai is the longest tenured Bears coach, having been with the team since 2013 when he was part of Marc Trestman's original staff. Desai was retained by both John Fox and Matt Nagy. Desai was promoted to safeties coach in 2019 after serving as a quality control coach for six years. He has a very interesting background; Desai earned his doctorate in educational administration, with an emphasis in higher education, at Temple in May 2008. He served as an adjunct professor at the school in 2009 and 2010, teaching in the master's and doctoral programs in education administration while also coaching on the football team. Desai continued his coaching career at the University of Miami in 2011 and Boston College in 2012 before joining the Bears.
Chalk Talk features fan questions multiple times each week.
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