Oakland Raiders: Marc Trestman a Potential Fit for OC Position?

Nov 9, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) talks to head coach Marc Trestman in the second quarter during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Recent History

Trestman spent a year as the quarterbacks coach and assistant head coach in Miami in Dave Wannstedt’s last year there, working with Jay Fiedler and AJ Feeley before his NFL options ran out.  He spent two years as the offensive coordinator at NC State, then found himself in Canada as the head coach of the Montreal Alouettes. Trestman would have unprecedented success in the CFL: in his five seasons as head coach in Montereal, they made the playoffs all five years, went to three consecutive Grey Cups, and won two back-to-back. Under Trestman, the Alouettes were an offensive powerhouse, racking up massive point and yardage totals year after year. So good, in fact, were his CFL offenses that Trestman caught the attention of the Chicago Bears, looking to get an offensive mind to pair with Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte to accomplish things that defensive-minded Lovie Smith had not been able to. He was named head coach of the Chicago Bears preceding the 2013 season.

Trestman immediately changed the way the Chicago Bears play offense: the ball was spread around, with four receivers (Martellus Bennett, Alshon Jeffrey, Matt Forte and Brandon Marshall) having 60 or more receptions. The solid run game was used to set up a dangerous passing attack. When quarterback Jay Cutler went down early in the seventh game against Washington, he was completing nearly 66% of his passes and averaging 271 yards per game.  eteran journeyman Josh McCown, playing in Cutler’s place, had the best season of his career, throwing 13 TD’s to only 1 INT and completing nearly 67% of his passes. Running back Matt Forte had nearly 2,000 yards of total offense.

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Unfortunately, Trestman also immediately changed the way the Bears play defensel, partially due to the retirement of Brian Urlacher as well as the decline of linebacker Lance Briggs. The Bears slipped from 5th in total defense in 2012 to 30th in 2013, dealing with a number of injuries and the retirement of the great Brian Urlacher. Chicago were unable to hold an opponent to less than 20 points all year, and gave up 30 or more on seven occasions. The Bears defense is atrocious again this year, and while injuries have played a role, the word out of the locker room is that the defensive side has just simply not been emphasized by the head coach like in years past.  The Bears are currently 26th in total defense and dead last in scoring defense. With the struggles, the Bears’ offensive production has slipped, as well, despite Jay Cutler having thrown 18 touchdowns through nine games. Cutler has also turned the ball fifteen times, including ten picks and five lost fumbles. The team has given up three or more sacks on five separate occasions this year, allowing 23 sacks through nine games after allowing 30 for the entirety of 2013.