Chicago Bears safety Tashaun Gipson seemed a bit overwhelmed when Halas Hall turned up to training camp to meet his meet his new teammates. Gipson’s description applies only to one side of the football.
While many current Bears defensive players formed a dominant group the last two years, the offense has continued to flounder. Even the trade for former Super Bowl MVP quarterback Nick Foles cannot be viewed as a reason for great optimism because of the other challenges facing their offense beyond throwing the ball.
And Foles has not been a consistent success.
Foles in eight seasons has experienced great swings in productivity, from Super Bowl to face-first dives into NFL oblivion. Nevertheless, he seems more suited to running coach Matt Nagy’s Kansas City-style offense than inconsistent Mitchell Trubisky, whose deep passing accuracy seems a constant problem.
A struggling offensive line and a patchwork tight end group could make life more difficult or better for whichever quarterback emerges with the job. Potential exists for disaster or success, and general manager Ryan Pace’s job status could be tied to it all if last year’s decline from 12-4 to 8-8 becomes a trend.
Offense
Even if the Bears had quarterback figured out, they’d still have problems to solve on offense.
The running game last year averaged 3.7 yards a carry, their worst total since 2007. They only added former Seahawks right tackle Germain Ifedi at right guard and anticipate coaching changes will benefit their approach on the ground.
Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor and line coach Juan Castillo have set about altering run-blocking schemes to generate more room for running back David Montgomery. With 889 yards as a rookie, the difference for Montgomery achieving a 1,000-yard season was more breakaway runs.
The quarterbacks have been surrounded with what seems to be a deeper receiver corps, both at wideout and tight end.
Tight end Jimmy Graham is 33 but in practice seems younger and capable of far more productivity than the Bears had from this position last year. Cole Kmet shows advanced skill and awareness for a rookie. The red-zone offense ranked 24th last year in touchdown percentage and should benefit from both tight ends.
Allen Robinson II established himself as one of the league’s best X receivers last year, new contract or no new contract, and Anthony Miller has begun to live up to expectations as a slot receiver.
The Bears addressed lack of receiver speed with 35-year-old Ted Ginn Jr. and rookie Darnell Mooney, leaving this area as one of their great question marks. Also unsolved is how they can coax more big plays from explosive backs/receivers Tarik Cohen and Cordarrelle Patterson. This seems more of a design issue for Lazor and Nagy.
It all starts at quarterback, though, and Foles’ experience could be a huge factor in the offense leaping forward. Or the X factor could be Trubisky’s improvement, although this has been promised often in the past.
Defence
Several elements changed for a defence ranked fourth in points allowed last year and first in 2018. Some of these were for the better, but others are more questionable. Whether this is possible with two changes in the secondary and after nose tackle Eddie Goldman opted out, are burning questions.
Stopping the run has been one of this defence’s trademarks and it won’t be helped by losing Goldman. Moving starter Bilal Nichols inside from end to nose in the 3-4 could offset this. With Trevathan and Roquan Smith now healthy at inside linebacker following season-ending injuries, stopping the run might not be a huge issue even without Goldman.
The Bears failed to regularly take away the ball last year and it was one key difference from their 2018 dominance, but this could change. The drop from 27 to 10 interceptions was alarming, and now they are trying to deal with line-up changes, including Gipson at safety and possibly rookie Jaylon Johnson at right cornerback.
They could generate turnovers with pressure. With defensive end Akiem Hicks healthy after missing three-quarters of last year, Khalil Mack looking to rebound after an 8 ½-sack season and new edge rusher Robert Quinn balancing out the rush, pressure on quarterbacks can mean more interceptions for defensive backs like safety Eddie Jackson and cornerback Kyle Fuller.
Lack of depth at some positions and the unsettled right cornerback spot loom as potential spoilers for Mack’s assessment.
Predicted Record: 6-10
The Bears need increased point production with Foles as starter and better tight end play within the red zone. This couple along with an improved running attack should let the Bears keep their defence off the field and play more often with leads. This combination can result in more opposing turnovers. However, this is a huge ask and they have a brutal second-half schedule, with seven of the final nine games against opponents who were in last year’s playoffs.
This year will have to be a building year for the Bears, success seems a year or two off.
Football Opinions 