Dark horse Trestman now the man for Bears

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Bears fans: You wanted an offensive fix? You got it. At least until they kick things off in September.

Marc Trestman, the dark horse from north of the border who emerged in the Bears head coaching search is the man who succeeds Lovie Smith as the 14th man to lead the league's charter franchise.

MORE: After long search, Bears name Trestman head coach

When he's introduced Thursday at 11 a.m. (the press conference can be seen on Comcast SportsNet and CSNChicago.com), it'll be a circuitous route to say the least. You need two hands to count the stops as the NFL's "Next Big Thing" until he apparently got tired of the waiting game to get the big break he's now realized. An eight-year "exile" to the Canadian Football League has now come full circle and we anxiously await Phil Emery's explanation as the guy no one gave two thoughts to back on New Year's Day becomes the man he'll hang his reputation on.

There's a brief path-crossing with Jay Cutler between Vanderbilt and the NFL, and that's where this decision will weight heaviest from this point forward. How will the two communicate? Will they be on the same page? In Trestman we'll see quickly if the two are on the same page, can co-exist and flourish together. If they can't -- figure Trestman has the longer leash.

RELATED: Marc Trestman career timeline

CSN's Kip Lewis learned Tuesday evening the bulk of the Bears' defensive coaching staff will be brought back. If Bob Babich and Rod Marinelli are too loyal to Smith, look at Jon Hoke to figure more prominently. It's one less thing for Trestman to concern himself with as he tackles this team's greater concern.

While one of the league's top defenses has been overlooked in this search, this hire is about the offense. It's about how the league has changed, and how Trestman -- out of the NFL for eight years -- can keep up, and stay a step ahead, of the NFL as we now know it. That's a whole lot different than even just eight years ago.

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