Jim Powers NFL Season Preview:
This looks to be the end of the Mitchell Trubisky era in Chicago. The Bears declined to pick up their fifth-year option on the 2017 second overall pick, which almost certainly marks Trubisky’s last season in Chicago. Trubisky hasn’t been a bust, but his accuracy issues led the team to trade for Nick Foles in the offseason. Foles is expected to start the season under center.
Chicago Bears Regular Season Win Total
Over 8.5 +145
Under 8.5 -176
Chicago Bears to Make the Playoffs Odds
Yes +160
No -200
Who’s the Man on Offense?
Matt Nagy obviously thought that Foles was a solid quarterback from their time together in Philadelphia and Kansas City. Nagy pushed for the Bears to acquire Foles instead of Cam Newton, Jameis Winston, or Andy Dalton. Foles became a legend in Philly after leading the Eagles to their first ever Super Bowl and was named the MVP of Super Bowl LII, but he didn’t have much success in Jacksonville last season. The veteran went 0-4 as a starter and was supplanted by rookie Gardner Minshew, leading the Jaguars to cut bait with him. Unlike Trubisky, Foles has the potential to stretch the field, so that should help this passing game.
The acquisition of Foles might lead to Allen Robinson emerging as a top-tier receiver. Robinson is the NFL’s most underrated receiver and it’s a wonder he has two 1,000-yard seasons with Trubisky and Blake Bortles for quarterbacks. The seventh-year receiver made over a dozen difficult receptions last season and was Trubisky’s favorite target by a mile.
Anthony Miller has the potential to have a breakout season for the Chicago Bears, as he has yet to unleash his speed in this offense. Running back Tarik Cohen will remain a consistent checkdown threat out of the backfield. Rookie tight end Cole Kmet figures to be a reliable option in the middle of the field.
Chicago wants to run the ball, but opposing defenses stacked their front sevens against this offense in 2019. David Montgomery was only able to average 3.7 YPC, so the hope is that an improved passing game will help the running backs pick up more yards.
Monsters of the Midway Leading the Way
If the Bears have an average offense, this team should win 10 or more games given the talent on defense. Chicago has one of the top three defenses in the NFL simply looking at the roster, and every level of the defense has at least one All-Pro player.
Eddie Goldman and Akiem Hicks are both excellent defensive lineman with Goldman holding down the nose and Hicks performing like one of the best 3-4 ends in the game. The linebackers are even better though as future first ballot Hall of Famer Khalil Mack leads the way. Opposing offenses avoid Mack as much as possible, and that allowed Roquan Smith to have an excellent sophomore season. Robert Quinn was added in free agency this offseason to bring another talented player into this unit.
Kyle Fuller and Eddie Jackson have both earned numerous accolades during their seasons in Chicago, but the other two spots in the secondary are a bit of a concern. Artie Burns wasn’t a great cornerback in Pittsburgh, and Deon Bush has much to prove opposite Jackson as a safety.
Chicago Bears Schedule
There isn’t a dominant team in the NFC North, so that will help Chicago in its quest to return to the playoffs. However, the Chicago Bears are seen as the third-best team in this division behind Green Bay and Minnesota coming into the 2020 campaign according to season odds.
A third-place schedule will help the Bears somewhat as they take on the Giants and Rams in those games, and cross-conference games against the AFC South can really bolster this team’s record given the weakness of that division. It won’t be easy to play against the NFC South, but the Bears do get to host the two best teams in that division.
2020 Season: Chicago Bears Prediction
The most likely record for the Chicago Bears relative to their season odds is 8-8 as there are too many question marks on offense. If Foles plays well though, this team has a lot of promise, so more exotic futures options are the best bets with the Bears.
