The success of the Chicago Bears in 2020 depends on their offense. While the defense has carried this team for the better part of their storied 100-year history, the defense can only do so much, especially in a pass-happy league.
The Bears had one of the worst offenses in 2019, where they ranked among the bottom dwellers in the NFL that had top-five draft picks. Disappointing considering Chicago had a great defense, even amid some devastating injury blows.
While head coach Matt Nagy has cultivated this amazing culture in Chicago, ultimately he was brought in to bring the Bears’ offense out of hibernation. And that hasn’t exactly happened over these last two years.
Don’t expect this offense to be one of the best in the league this season, but they should be much better than they were in 2019. Let’s take a look at five reasons why the Bears offense will be better in 2020.
1. It can’t get much worse than 2019
The Bears offense was one of the worst in the NFL last season, and that’s just using the eye test. But were things really as bad as they seemed? Yes, the Bears offense was really that terrible in 2019. Here are some of the ugly statistics.
- 17.5 points per game (29th in NFL)
- 296.8 yards per game (29th)
- 4.7 yards per play (31st)
- 5.3 net per attempt (32nd)
- 3.7 yards per rush (30th)
- 35.6% 3rd-down conversion (25th)
- 52.2% red-zone TDs (24th)
Luckily there’s nowhere to go but up for this offense, and the Bears have been making some offseason adjustments accordingly. According to running back Tarik Cohen, the Bears are looking to simplify things in 2020. Cohen said that it’s “going to be hard to tell who’s getting the ball and when or how they’re getting the ball” on offense this year, which wasn’t exactly the case last season.
2. They’re going to get better quarterback play
While quarterback wasn’t the only issue on offense last season for Chicago, it was certainly one of the biggest. Mitchell Trubisky’s struggles were evident, and general manager Ryan Pace had no other choice but to bring in an experienced veteran in Nick Foles to challenge or replace Trubisky as starter this year.
But they also added two new offensive coaches in offensive coordinator Bill Lazor and quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, who have had a hand in helping quarterbacks in the past. The Bears are going to better quarterback play this season, whether that’s a better Trubisky or Foles under center.
3. There’s no ignoring the run game
Matt Nagy isn’t a fan of running the football, that much has been obvious in his first two seasons as head coach of the Bears. Chicago had one of the worst run games in the league last season, averaging 3.7 yards per rush in 2019, which tied for 27th in the league. But following the ineffectiveness of the run game last season, Nagy has no other choice but to address and fix the run game in 2020.
Chicago has spent this offseason trying to fix the run game. David Montgomery will be the lead back this season with Tarik Cohen and Ryan Nall rounding out the running back room. The Bears added veteran offensive lineman Germain Ifedi to fill the hole at right guard, and overall the entire offensive line needs to play better in 2020. The Bears also brought in offensive coordinator Bill Lazor and offensive line coach Juan Castillo to help perfect the run game.
4. Overhaul of the tight ends room
The Bears tight ends were one of the collective worst groups in the NFL last season. They combined for 36 receptions, 416 receiving yards and just two touchdowns. It certainly didn’t help that their top three tight ends wound up on injured reserve. But even before they did, they failed to produce.
Considering the importance of the tight end in Nagy’s offense, Chicago overhauled the tight ends room this offseason. They parted ways with Trey Burton — and Adam Shaheen figures to be next — and added veterans Jimmy Graham and Demetrius Harris, as well as rookie Cole Kmet. Never mind the Bears tight ends were that bad last season, but expect there to be a significant uptick in production at the position this season.
5. New offensive coaches should bring something to the table
Some of the biggest offseason moves happened before the start of free agency and the NFL Draft. Nagy brought in four new offensive coaches in offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, offensive line coach Juan Castillo and tight ends coach Clancy Barone. It’s no coincidence that they all specialize in areas where Chicago struggled immensely in 2019.
Nagy has said it’ll be a more collaborative effort among the offense this season. Nagy will remain the play-caller in 2020, but he’ll have experienced offensive minds to help keep the offense together. The Bears plan to execute their offense like the Philadelphia Eagles, where the head coach is responsible for calling plays, the offensive coordinator runs unit and staff meetings and specific coaches are responsible for individual parts of the offense (red zone, run game, etc.).
