This decade that began in 2010 and takes us up until today has now featured four different Bears head coaches, varying degrees of success and periods of rapid change during a time in which the sport itself has evolved.
After the blockbuster trade for quarterback Jay Cutler brought him to Chicago in 2009, he came into his own in 2010 the season that also saw the free agent acquisition of defensive end Julius Peppers. The two led the Bears to an 11-5 record and and NFC North title, a playoff win over the Seahawks and then a loss to Green Bay in the NFC title game. Cutler went on to become the most statistically accomplished passer in Bears history, despite never performing consistently enough in his six seasons after that to return them to the postseason.
The decade saw an instability at offensive coordinator that dogged both Lovie Smith and his counterparts to follow. Marc Trestman was hired by GM Phil Emery after 2012, but Trestman's inability to bring a winning record after two years meant the end of the line for both men. Ryan Pace became general manager and hired John Fox, who promptly led the Bears to three seasons of double-digit losses and was himself let go after 2017.
Matt Nagy changed the culture and the Bears' fortunes immediately, as they romped to a record of 12-4 behind the performances of eight players eventually selected for the 2019 Pro Bowl. Nagy was named NFL coach of the year and Pace the executive of the year, but that resurgent season will be remembered as the one that ended with another missed field goal.
