The Chicago Bears’ 100th season was anything but special. In fact, it was an absolute mess. This, after a 12-4 season where expectations were sky-high for the future.
The 2019 season was an utter disappointment. The offense was a mess from top to bottom, with the exception of receiver Allen Robinson. They ranked near the bottom is most statistical categories, and aside from two back-to-back games against the Lions in Week 13 and Cowboys in Week 14, they never found a rhythm. Even the defense, who weren’t the issue this season, regressed more than anticipated due to a combination of injuries and a new defensive scheme.
This offseason will be integral in determining the direction of the 2020 Bears, who have nowhere to go but up following the disaster that was 2019. Especially now that they know what needs to be fixed.
Here are five takeaways from the 2019 season:
1. Bears are an offense away from championship contention
Believe it or not, the Bears aren’t far off from making a return to the postseason. Although they’re missing one very important part: An offense. And not even a high-flying offense, just an adequate offense that can average more than 17.5 points per game and help their defense out.
The Bears offense wasn’t just disappointing in 2019, it was downright abysmal. They ranked near the bottom of most statistical categories — including points (29th in NFL), yards per game (29th), passing yards (25th) and rushing yards (26th).
It wasn’t just one position group that disappointed, it was everyone. Quarterback, offensive line, run game, tight ends, receivers (not named Allen Robinson) and especially play calling.
Considering this was a team that went 12-4 last season with the same dominant defense and an adequate offense, they’re more than capable of making a return to the playoffs, and actually winning in the postseason. They just need something — anything — out of their offense.
2. Mitchell Trubisky probably isn’t the answer at QB
My, oh my, what a difference a year makes. At this time last season, Mitchell Trubisky was coming off an encouraging season in his first year with Matt Nagy. He nearly orchestrated a fourth-quarter comeback in the wild card playoffs, before Cody Parkey missed the mark.
Whatever the lowest expectations were for Trubisky this season, Trubisky was worse. That was due in large part to the overall struggles of the entire offense than anything. But still, Trubisky regressed. A lot. And aside from a six-game stretch near the end of the season, Trubisky didn’t look like he belonged out on the field. In a season where the offense disappointed in many ways, Trubisky was the most disappointing.
Wherever you looked, Trubisky’s numbers weren’t good. He passed for 3,138 yards (21st in NFL), 17 touchdowns (27th), 10 interceptions (18) and 39.5 QBR (28th).
Trubisky isn’t the kind of quarterback that’s going to succeed in spite of his circumstances. He’s the kind of quarterback that needs everything in place for him to succeed. And there’s nothing wrong with that, but that’s not No. 2-overall draft selection material.
3. While the defense regressed, they were still a top unit
There was no getting around the regression that the Bears defense suffered in 2019. That’s what happens when you have that impressive of a season coupled with implementing a new defensive coordinator and a slew of injuries to key starters.
Despite all of those factors, the Bears defense was a top-five unit in 2019. They allowed the fourth-fewest points in the NFL at 18.6, which was just one point more than their own offense’s average points per game.
The glaring concern for the defense this season was the decline in takeaways from a season ago. After managing 36 takeaways in 2018, Chicago’s defense managed just 19 in 2019. Considering the offense thrived off their defense’s ability to give them short fields — and even score them points — last season, it’s something this team could really use more of in 2020.
The defense wasn’t the problem this season, but there are still areas where they can improve, including the pass rush. Production was down as a unit in rushing the passer — the Bears had 32 sacks, which was 18 less than last season.
4. The run game continues to be Matt Nagy’s downfall
There were a lot of reasons why the Bears offense struggled this season — poor quarterback play, questionable play calling, offensive line struggles, no tight ends — but it all comes back to the absence of any sort of run game. The run game has been a detriment to the Bears offense over the last two seasons, but it was even more glaring in 2019 when nothing on offense seemed to work.
The Bears couldn’t run the football in 2019. And there were times that, if they could, we didn’t see it, as Matt Nagy often abandoned the run game at first sign of trouble. Look no further than the seven runs called against the Saints. You can lean towards a heavier passing offense, but there are times when you need to run the football.
Chicago averaged 91.1 rushing yards per game, which ranked 27th in the NFL. Rookie running back David Montgomery had 889 rushing yards (19th in NFL) with 3.7 yards per carry (41st) and six touchdowns (tied for 19th).
One of the main focuses in fixing the offense this offseason is finding an answer for the run game. The Bears have already taken early steps in the hiring of offensive line coach Juan Castillo, who has experience as a run game coordinator. Obviously there are a lot of factors in the success of the run game — offensive line play, running backs and play calling. And they’re all factors that will need to be addressed.
5. Tight end was arguably the most glaring offensive issue (not named Trubisky)
Given the importance of the tight end position in Matt Nagy’s offense, the lack of production from that group was one of the most alarming and telling aspect of the Bears’ offensive struggles.
The tight ends were nonexistent in the offense this season. Bears tight ends combined for 46 receptions for 416 yards and a single touchdown in 2019. This, for an offense that relies heavily on tight end production.
Worse than that, Chicago’s top three tight ends — Trey Burton, Adam Shaheen and Ben Braunecker — were all on injured reserve by season’s end. But even before that, they weren’t producing on the field.
The Bears need to address the tight end position either through free agency or the NFL draft. There will be some intriguing names on the free agent market this offseason, including Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper and Eric Ebron, as well as in the NFL Draft, including Brycen Hopkins and Harrison Bryant. The Bears can’t make the same mistake they did in 2019 at the tight end position, and all signs are pointing to the Bears aiming to ensure that.
