The NFL offseason is officially upon us, which means that some teams are going to make some big changes in hopes to reverse their bad fortunes from 2019.
One of those teams are the Bears, who have a slew of offensive issues that require addressing through free agency, the NFL Draft and from within.
But unlike a year ago, when many had the Bears pegged as legitimate Super Bowl contenders, many NFL experts aren’t thinking much about the Bears’ chances in 2020.
The Bears landed at No. 18 in ESPN’s offseason power rankings for 2020. Like many, ESPN believes the main source of optimism for the Bears next season is their vaunted defense.
Chicago’s defense didn’t have the same success it achieved under Vic Fangio in 2018, but the Bears still finished this past season ranked fourth in points allowed, eighth in total yards per game and ninth in passing and rushing yards allowed per game. Outside linebacker Khalil Mack, defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and cornerback Kyle Fuller are all Pro Bowl-caliber players in the prime of their careers. Chicago’s offense is very concerning, but the team appears to be in good shape on defense.
The Bears wasted no time making some well-needed changes on the offensive side of the ball, bringing in four new coaches, including offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, offensive line coach Juan Castillo and tight ends coach Clancy Barone.
But all eyes will be turned toward general manager Ryan Pace and how he chooses to address some areas of concern on the roster.
Not many are thinking about the Bears as a threat, and their 2019 performance shows why. But Chicago seems to thrive in the underdog role, which they’ll certainly be occupying in 2020.
