The Chicago Bears have kicked off training camp, where both returning and new faces to the roster have arrived at Halas Hall to begin preparation for the 2020 season. Obviously, the 2019 season didn’t go as planned for the Bears. But the hope is that, with some of the changes made this offseason, that Chicago can prove that last season was more of an anomaly than a trend.
Starting with the offense, there have been some big changes made to this roster, particularly at quarterback and tight end. Following an atrocious outing on offense in 2019, they were changes that needed to be made. Whether those changes ultimately result in a complete turnaround on offense remains to be seen, but it’s hard to imagine it could get worse than last season.
We surveyed every unit on the Bears offense to decide if they project to be better or worse in 2020, or if we can expect more of the same.
Quarterbacks
Gained:
- QB Nick Foles
Lost:
- QB Chase Daniel
Heading into 2019, the belief was that Mitchell Trubisky was poised to take the next step in his young career and establish himself as the Bears franchise quarterback. That obviously didn’t happen. Following a disappointing outing by Trubisky, Chicago traded for former Super Bowl MVP quarterback Nick Foles, who will battle Trubisky for the starting job in training camp.
The main difference is that, this year, the Bears have two quarterbacks on their roster that, for all intents and purposes, are starting quarterbacks. No offense to Chase Daniel, who was an adamant backup for the Bears. But whoever Chicago’s back-up quarterback winds up being, he could be expected to step in and not miss a beat. Despite whoever wins the starting job, you can’t say the Bears didn’t upgrade at quarterback.
The verdict: Upgrade
Running Backs
Gained:
- RB Artavis Pierce (rookie)
- RB Napoleon Maxwell (rookie)
Lost:
- RB Mike Davis
- RB Kerrith Whyte Jr.
The Bears had a lot of faith in the running back trio dubbed Run DMC — featuring David Montgomery, Tarik Cohen and Mike Davis. But Chicago’s run game never really got off the ground running, and Davis was released mid-season. Overall, the Bears run game was a disappointment under an offensive playcaller in Matt Nagy that’s not prone to running the ball.
This year, the Bears didn’t do much in the offseason to upgrade at running back. They’re putting a lot of faith in the guys already on the roster — specifically preseason darling Ryan Nall — to serve as a complement for Montgomery. The Bears did add two undrafted free agents to the running backs room, and we’ll see whether Artavis Pierce or Napoleon Maxwell can surprise in camp. Still, there is no proven veteran to backup Montgomery, which is certainly a change from last year.
The verdict: Downgrade
Wide Receivers
Gained:
- WR Ted Ginn Jr.
- WR Darnell Mooney (rookie)
- WR Trevor Davis
- WR Reggie Davis
- WR Ahmad Wagner (rookie)
Lost:
- WR Taylor Gabriel
Most of the offensive units underwent some significant changes this offseason. While the Bears added some speed to their offense, they didn’t overhaul their receiving corp, which was arguably the offense’s strongest position group last season. The Bears return their core receivers in Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, Cordarrelle Patterson, Riley Ridley and Javon Wims getting another year under their belts.
The offseason’s biggest loss came with the release of Taylor Gabriel, who was a cap-casualty. But the Bears did add more speed this offseason, which was something that was missing last year, with the additions of Ted Ginn Jr. and fifth-round rookie Darnell Mooney.
The verdict: No change
Tight Ends
Gained:
- TE Jimmy Graham
- TE Cole Kmet (rookie)
- TE Demetrius Harris
- TE Eric Saubert
- TE Darion Clark
Lost:
- TE Trey Burton
- TE Adam Shaheen
- TE Ben Braunecker
Last season, the Bears tight ends group was one of the collective worst in hte NFL. Which is why Chicago ultimately chose to part ways with Trey Burton, Adam Shaheen and Ben Braunecker. Heading into 2020, the Bears’ top three tight ends are all brand new to the team. Second-round rookie Cole Kmet and free agent additions Jimmy Graham and Demetrius Harris were brought in to rewrite the narrative — and production — surrounding Bears tight ends.
The Bears also return two young players in J.P. Holtz and Jesper Horsted, who saw some playing time late last season when Burton, Shaheen and Braunecker all landed on injured reserve. One or both will have a chance to earn a roster spot, and they both have a lot of upside.
The verdict: Upgrade
Offensive line
Gained:
- OL Germain Ifedi
- OL Jason Spriggs
- OL Arlington Hambright (rookie)
- OL Lachavious Simmons (rookie)
- OL Badara Traore (rookie)
- OL Dino Boyd
- OL Dieter Eiselen (rookie)
- OL Corey Levin
Lost:
- OL Kyle Long
- OL Cornelius Lucas
- OL Ted Larsen
The Bears were returning their entire starting offensive line from the 2018 season, which you figure would make for continued success. Instead, the unit underperformed on an offense that had multiple weaknesses. That’s where new offensive line coach Juan Castillo comes in, especially considering the line will look almost identical to last year.
Heading into 2020, the Bears starting offensive line remains mostly intact with left tackle Charles Leno Jr., left guard James Daniels, center Cody Whitehair and right tackle Bobby Massie. Obviously, Chicago faces a tall order of replacing right guard Kyle Long, was retirement earlier this offseason. They’ve brought in Germain Ifedi to fill that right guard role, as well as added veteran Jason Spriggs and a pair of developmental offensive linemen Arlington Hambright and Lachavious Simmons in the NFL Draft.
The verdict: No change
