2021 Team Outlook: Chicago Bears

We have decided to take a look at all 32 NFL teams ahead of the preseason and break down the team position by position. Of course we will be finding all kinds of names that we desperately want to find signed jerseys, autographed helmets and all sorts of sports collectibles in our NFL live breaks. Today we will take a look at the Chicago Bears.

The Bears have been floating around as this mediocre team for a while now. Some years they will make the playoffs while others they just miss it by a game or 2. Typically the defense is the anchor of the team while the offense (mainly the quarterback) lag behind.

Quarterback

Now that the Trubisky and Foles experiment is over, it originally looked like the Bears were just going to settle with Andy Dalton as another below average starter that could hopefully do “well enough” since the Bears lacked the draft capital to get an upper end rookie QB. However, the future did a quick 180 when the Chicago Bears traded up to pick 11 to select Justin Fields. One of the most accurate and athletic quarterbacks that we have seen in NCAA history is now the soon to be QB1 for the Chicago Bears. 

Running Back

David Montgomery was quickly headed toward getting himself replaced last season until he had a great late season boom. Most of those games were against lower tier defenses so he isn’t out of the woods just yet, but things are definitely looking up. Satellite back Tarik Cohen will also be back after an injury cost him his season. 

Wide Receiver

Allen Robinson was franchised after a few seemingly unceremonious interactions between the front office and the star receiver. It’s a good thing too that they were able to bring him back. After Robinson there is Darnell Mooney who showed some promise as a rookie and then there is a barren wasteland. Hopefully Anthoney Miller can finally deliver on the promise he showed a few years back or someone like a Dazz Newsome can step up and deliver some kind of production. 

Tight End

Cole Kmet took on a much bigger role at the end of 2020 and we expect him to become a top tier tight end sooner rather than later. Jimmy Graham is also still on this roster and will play a role in the passing game. 

Offensive Line 

This unit lost their longtime left tackle Charles Leno Jr. due to cap casualties in the offseason. However, they quickly replaced him with their 2nd round pick, selecting Teven Jenkins from Oklahoma State. Cody Whitehair is a solid piece in the middle of this line, but after that, most of the unit is more or less replacement level. 

Defensive Line

Akiem Hicks is a great defensive lineman. The problem is he has been in the league for a decade now and age, as well as injuries seem to be catching up with him. The good news is he doesn't have to dominate to the same level that he used to. Mario Edwards Jr had an amazing year in 2020 and Bilal Nichlos has taken good ownership over his nose tackle role. 

Linebackers

You would be hard pressed to find a better unit in the league. Khalil Mack is a freak of nature, Roquan Smith is emerging as a premiere playmaker at his position and Danny Trevathan is a force in his own right. Things are not getting any easier for offenses facing the Monsters of the Midway. 

Secondary

If the defense had a weakness, it would be the secondary. The loss of Kyle Fuller is tough and it is tough to imagine anyone on the roster adequately filling those shoes. That said, this secondary as a whole is still better than many that you will find in the league and with the front 7 terrorizing quarterbacks, guys like Eddie Jackson, Tashaun Gibson, Jaylon Johnson and Desmond Trufant should be just fine. 

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