Trestman says he expects to stay
MINNEAPOLIS --Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman told reporters following Sunday's 13-9 regular season finale loss to the Minnesota Vikings that he expects to be Chicago's head coach in 2015.
"I do," Trestman said. "I don't have to go into the reasons. I expect to be back. I couldn't look at it any other way or with any other focus. My plan is to continue to finalize my notes now that the season is over and make sure that opportunity arises, I'll be able to explain how to fix this thing, because we have to get better."
Trestman added: "Nobody understands the situation better than I do. I've lived it every day for the last two years and certainly the last six months, so I think I have some expertise in that area. I don't think there's anybody in a better position to assess it other than myself and Phil (Emery)."
ESPN's Michael C. Wright reported Sunday morning that three Bears assistant coaches expected to be fired at the conclusion of the year.
Under Trestman, the Bears crumbled in 2014 to finish 5-11, the franchise's worst single-season mark in ten years. In two seasons in Chicago, Trestman's record stands at 13-19, with zero playoff appearances.
The Bears offense plummeted in Trestman's second year, entering Week 17 ranked No. 21 in points scored, No. 20 in total offense, and No. 26 in rushing offense, a far cry from last year's group that ended 2013 as the NFL's second-highest scoring team (27.8).
Quarterback Jay Cutler clearly regressed in Trestman's system, committing 24 turnovers in 15 games. Cutler, who returned to the starting lineup Sunday in place of Jimmy Clausen (concussion), completed just 23-of-36 pass attempts for 172 yards (75.2 quarterback rating).
"I don't think anybody knows what's going to happen," Cutler said. "No one knows what direction we're going, but I'm pretty confident we'll know relatively soon. I don't think it's something that's going to drag out."
One of the most indicting statistics for the Trestman led offense: The Bears failed to score more than 28 points in any of their 16 games.
"I'm not going to stand up here and try to make a case for myself," Trestman said. "I believe in what I'm doing and I believe I have the answers to help us get better. I feel strongly about that. I love this team and I love the players in this locker room who I think showed a lot over the last couple weeks. With a lot of noise around the football team, these guys went to work and focused on winning games. They didn't do that, but they focused on it with great effort. I'm really proud of our coaching staff for their demeanor and for the way they've handled themselves during this time as well."
Trestman is scheduled to address the team at 11 a.m. CT on Monday.
"That's not my call as to who stays or goes," Bears defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff said. "I have been asked that question several times before and still have the same answer. I don't make the decision on who comes and goes. I am just a player in the game."
Bears linebacker Jonathan Bostic added: "I've said it all year. This is not a coaching problem. It starts with the players. Our record this year is unacceptable. We failed. This is a player's problem, not a coaching problem."
