nobody at Halas Hall dares use the “R” word.

Bears fans aren’t dumb, however, and they’re consuming the process with wandering eyes, huge yawns and shopping trips to the grocery store during games.

Fans are asked to be patient until the kids grow up, the veteran quarterback reaches his elusive potential and the Bears’ growl returns.

Yeah, right.

The Bears aren’t “Papa Bear” Halas’ club anymore. Nor is their offense the one that “thrilled the nation with the T-formation.” Nor is their defense the “46” that tormented opponents from coast to coast.

Now they’re the Bears of the McCaskey family, fine folks but not exactly football savants. They own the New Tradition, whether they want to claim it or not.

This decade alone the Bears have had a series of general managers and head coaches … with the McCaskeys the constant.

Youngish GM Ryan Pace and oldish head coach John Fox are in the early stages of peddling a fresh heap of hope.

They might be the right guys for the job, but nobody associated with the Bears is afforded the benefit of doubt.

With every passing week the 2016 edition looks more like the Bears are rebuilding down instead of up.

The question is, “Why in so many seasons are the Bears merely trying to be better instead of trying to be Super Bowl champs?”

It’s not like the Bears’ latest rebuild began after a recent championship. It began after more of the same old New Tradition.

With all the resources that the NFL’s best market affords the McCaskeys in Chicago, the Bears should win two or three Super Bowls every decade.

Instead, the wait continues for this franchise to be what fans pay and pray for the Bears to be.

mimrem@dailyherald.com