Smith: 'We're still close'

Bears coach Lovie Smith spoke optimistically about his team's playoff chances going forward during his final news conference of the regular season.

As Smith spoke, Bears players cleaned out their lockers and parted ways for the offseason. The Bears finished the season with an 8-8 record after a 17-13 win against the Minnesota Vikings in Sunday's regular season finale.

Smith was asked about widespread criticism from some fans and media members who wanted wholesale changes to the roster, coaching staff and front office before next season. He offered a strong defense to those criticisms.

"We’ve made it [to the playoffs] one out of two years, and I think we would have been in it this year if some unfortunate things didn’t happen," Smith said. "That’s my defense [to those criticisms].

"As you look at our football team right now, if you’re watching football and you’ve seen us, I think you’d say when we were 7-3, that was a pretty good football team coming off of an NFC championship game. So I think we’re still close. I think we keep the core in place and just make the changes that you normally make after a season, and we get back there.

"For the fans, that’s what I’m going to say. I’m going to say look at our team and just look at how everything played out and see what direction you think we’re headed. I think we’re still going that direction, and eventually we’re going to finish the job and put the product out there on the football field that the fans want."

Smith remained mum on the future of offensive coordinator Mike Martz, whose contract expires after this season. Smith said he wanted to meet with each of his assistant coaches before he discussed their future with the organization.

-Tom Musick