Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
Which teams will the Bears play next season?
Thomas L.
Streamwood, Illinois
In addition to home and away games against NFC North rivals Detroit, Green Bay and Minnesota, the Bears will host the Cowboys, Giants, Saints, Ravens and Bengals in 2013 while visiting the Eagles, Redskins, Rams, Browns and Steelers. As part of the schedule rotation, the Bears play all four teams in both the NFC East and AFC North along with games against the two teams that finished in the same third-place position as they did in the NFC (Saints and Rams).
Where do the Bears pick in the first round of the draft?
Bill S.
Lexington, Kentucky
As the team with the best record not to make the playoffs, the Bears have the 20th pick in the first round of the NFL Draft. The only player they've ever selected at No. 20 was defensive end Dave Gallagher in 1974. The last three players taken with the 20th selection in the draft were Baylor receiver Kendal Wright by the Titans in 2012, Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn by the Buccaneers in 2011 and Alabama cornerback Kareem Jackson by the Texans in 2010.
Do you think the next Bears head coach will instill a 3-4 defense? I would love to see Lance Briggs rush the quarterback more than he did in Lovie Smith's 4-3 system.
Donald G.
Oak Lawn, Illinois
It obviously depends on who the Bears hire to be their next coach and what type of system he wants to implement. But if I had to guess I would say that the Bears would stick with a 4-3 defense simply because of the players on their current roster. General manager Phil Emery said Tuesday that he doesn't have a preference, but noted that the Bears have 4-3 personnel. Emery said: "We don't have those people [to play a 3-4], so [the new coach is] going to have to do a lot to convince me that that's the direction we want to spend additional time and resources reconstructing our defensive talent base to fit a brand new system."
