CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears’ priority this offseason was obviously to give Mitchell Trubisky the tools to succeed. Now he needs to make a big jump this season.

When the free agent signing period began in March, the Chicago Bears were among the busiest teams. They made a flurry of signings (both their own and outside) to try to get the franchise back on track to compete in the playoffs.

What was obvious from the beginning was their focus on helping second-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky succeed. General manager Ryan Pace moved from the third overall selection to the second and gave up some prime draft picks to get his man. He did, and now the youngster and the general manager are tied to the hip. If Trubisky succeeds so does Pace. If Trubisky fails, Pace loses his job.

With that in mind, Pace signed wide receivers Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel. He also signed tight end Trey Burton. In addition, he signed kicker Cody Parkey to help in the scoring.

In the draft, the Bears selected offensive lineman James Daniels and wide receiver Anthony Miller early (both in the second round) and selected another wide receiver, Javon Wims, in the seventh round.

Trubisky had to feel like Christmas came early for him. The Bears gave him what he needed to succeed. With the new weapons and protection on the roster, the pressure now goes on his shoulders. He needs to reward Pace and the Bears for the faith they have in him.

Trubisky led a very anemic offense that ranked near the bottom in nearly all the categories. Yes, part of that was the fact that they had a dinosaur of a coach in John Fox. Pace helped him in that area as well. He hired Matt Nagy as the new coach. Nagy is an offensive-minded coach whose offense in Kansas City (where he was the offensive coordinator) ranked near the top. Additionally, he has Mark Helfrich, a coach who loves running a high-powered offense.

Don’t mistake what I’m saying, however, as me wanting Trubisky to lead the Bears to the Super Bowl in 2018. He just needs to show he is the leader the Bears need and that he can make the plays necessary to get the Bears going in the right direction.

There are lofty expectations on Trubisky, but not necessarily on the Bears. Many expect Trubisky to take a big jump but still are leery of predicting the playoffs for the Bears.

NFL.com’s Adam Shein wrote about Trubisky and the Bears:

Realistically, I think Chicago’s goal should be to make the playoffs in 2019. But teams have proven ahead of schedule many times before. And I’m digging the Bears’ current plan of attack — starting with the fact that, well, unlike in prior offseasons, they actually have one…Finally, there seems to be a direction to reward the amazing fans in Chicago. I firmly believe the quarterback takes a major step forward in 2018. This entire offseason was designed to bring that about. The right people are in place.

What Ryan Pace did this offseason was great. He understood that the losing ways of the last few years must disappear. This was the offseason to get the franchise going in the right direction. He did his job. Now it’s Mitchell Trubisky’s turn.