The Chicago Bears are coming off a disappointing 2019 season, which included a 8-8 record and third-place finish in the NFC North. There were a number of factors that contributed to the decline, namely on offense.
But Chicago is looking to rebound in 2020, and they’ll need several players to really step it up in order to do that. Not only veterans but some of the young talent that appeared poised to make their mark on the NFL.
Our Bears Wire staff shares their thoughts on which Bears players are poised to have a breakout year in 2020.
Alyssa: WR Anthony Miller
There’s no better time for Anthony Miller to make a statement than in his third season. With the release of veteran wideout Taylor Gabriel, Miller instantly fills that No. 2 role opposite Allen Robinson. While Miller has had his share of injury struggles – he’s coming off a second straight shoulder surgery – there’s every reason to believe that Miller is poised for a breakout year.
After a slow start to his sophomore season — which included a sluggish outing by the offense — when the Bears offense started to heat up, that’s when Miller shined. Case in point, a five-game stretch where he totaled 33 receptions for 431 yards and two touchdowns in Weeks 11-15. Miller finished the year with 52 receptions for 656 yards and two scores. With an additional year of experience in Matt Nagy’s offense and what’s sure to be better quarterback play — be it from Mitchell Trubisky or Nick Foles — Miller is in a good place to establish himself as Chicago’s clear-cut No. 2 wideout.
Brendan: DE Roy Robertson-Harris
Once just a preseason body, Robertson-Harris (RRH) has steadily become a significant asset to the Bears defensive line after making the team as a 2016 undrafted free agent. Since making the active roster in 2017, RRH has been a solid contributor and has earned increased playing time. His snaps increased from 353 in 2018 to 543 in 2019.
While RRH’s sack totals don’t pop off the stat-sheet (7 since coming into the league), he can be a matchup nightmare for offensive linemen, standing at 6’7” and 292 pounds. The Bears also appear to have big plans for RRH as he was tagged with a second-round tender as a restricted free agent this spring.
RRH has every reason to breakout in 2020. He’ll likely see even more playing time, further cementing himself in the defensive line rotation and will be looking for a lucrative deal in 2021 when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Ryan: RB David Montgomery
Montgomery ran behind a lousy offensive line in 2019 and still ran for 900 yards with six scores. The Bears made a couple of solid additions along the offensive line, so Montgomery should be in a prime position to succeed this season.
Just like he was in college, Montgomery is an asset in the passing game. I have the sense that Nick Foles will take over starting quarterback duties at some point in the upcoming season, and he loved to get his running backs involved in Philadelphia and a brief stint in Jacksonville.
Greg: OL James Daniels
Last year Daniels had a quietly good season where he played all 16 games (six at center and six at left guard) where he ended up playing 1,069 snaps, gave up one sack and was penalized four times, but there were issues in communication and in the run game. Daniels didn’t end up in the Pro Bowl and wasn’t voted All-Pro.
To put this into comparison, All-Pro guard Brandon Brooks of the Philadelphia Eagles who recorded 1,046 snaps, one sack and two penalties and center Jason Kelce of the Eagles recorded 1,163 snaps, three penalties and two sacks.
The 22-year old is heading into his third season after being selected in the second-round of the 2018 Draft. Daniels will look to play more left guard since that’s where he seemed more comfortable in and lineman Cody Whitehair improved at center. With Daniels experience, versatility and staying at a specific position, expect Daniels among the top guards in the league.
