Offseason Analysis Series: Chicago Bears

Meaningful Additions: HC Matt Eberflus, CB Kyler Gordon, DB Jaquan Brisker, WR Velus Jones, WR Byron Pringle, WR Equanimeous St Brown, DL Justin Jones, WR N'Keal Harry

Meaningful Losses: HC Matt Nagy, QB Andy Dalton, WR Allen Robinson, Edge Khalil Mack, DL Akiem Hicks, OG James Daniels, WR Jakeem Grant, DL Bilal Nichols, DL Eddie Goldman

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What Happened Last Year?

(6-11) Third in NFC North

Offense

Chicago's offense was tough to watch in 2021. Matt Nagy made a number of curious decisions including naming Andy Dalton Chicago's week one starter over first-round pick Justin Fields. Dalton was shaky at best in his starts, but for some reason, Nagy seemed reluctant to finally name Fields the starter in week 5. In his starts, Fields performed like the rookie that he was completing just 58.9% of his passes for 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Fields was my second favorite quarterback coming out of the draft (behind Trevor Lawrence) in large part because of his toughness and playmaking ability. At Ohio State, Fields was lethal downfield and while on the move, but his skills were not showcased last year in the Matt Nagy offense that relied on short yardage, timing based throws. A combination of inaccuracy and hesitancy ultimately plagued Fields, but his offensive line did him no favors either as they gave up the most sacks in the NFL. Veteran Jason Peters looked old when trying to fill in at left tackle and second round pick Teven Jenkins battled a back injury that cost him most of the season and was ineffective while on the field. Darnell Mooney looked like a blossoming big-play receiving threat recording 1055 yards and 4 touchdowns on 81 receptions. Conversely, Allen Robinson had the worst year of his NFL career (excluding 2017 which he lost 15 games due to injury) seeing just 66 targets result in 410 yards and one touchdown. On the ground, workhorse David Montgomery played at an average level and ran for 3.8 yards per carry recording 849 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns in 13 games.

Defense

The Monsters of the Midway fielded a middle of the pack defense in 2021. The unit finished allowing the third fewest yards in the air and the ninth most yards on the ground. All-pro edge defender and menace Khalil Mack missed ten games due to injury, but the Bear's pass rush was still potent. They finished with the fourth most sacks (49) in 2021 due in large part to Robert Quinn having the best season of his 11 year NFL career. Quinn got to the quarterback 18.5 times on his way to his first Pro Bowl birth. Roquan Smith was named second team All-Pro, but was snubbed from the Pro Bowl. He continued his play as one of the best linebackers in the league finishing with 163 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. In the secondary, second year CB Jaylon Johnson had an exceptional year recording 9 pass breakups and an interception as the Bear's best cover corner.

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What's Changed?

Loss of Serious Talent

Chicago has a shot at the number one pick in the 2023 draft. They lost some of their most talented players in the offseason and did not replenish their roster due to being hamstrung by the salary cap and not having the necessary picks in this years draft (sent 2022 first round pick and more to Giants to move up and draft Justin Fields). Losing Allen Robinson meant losing a top possession receiver in the league who still has tremendous hands and contested catch ability. Without Robinson, the Bears wideout room now projects to be one of the worst. Trading Khalil Mack to the Chargers also did the Bears no favors in the talent department. Although Mack's production has faded a bit in the past two years, he is still a game-changing pass rusher. The loss of Guard James Daniels in free agency is another reason I see the Bear's struggling this year. Their offensive line was the worst in the league last year and losing their best player up front is a recipe for disaster.