The Detroit Lions and NFC North 2021 season preview
By Robert Jones
NFC North third place: Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears will finish in third place. This is a franchise that needs more talent before they are ready to challenge for anything, but the cupboard isn’t completely bare either.
A big part of the Bears’ success this year will be on the shoulders of the two-headed quarterback position. Head coach Matt Nagy is standing his ground and starting veteran Andy Dalton instead of rookie first-round selection Justin Fields.
No one expects much success with Dalton at the helm, I’m not even sure Nagy himself is expecting much, but I think the thought process is that after Fields has been given a few opportunities in relief that he will be ready to take over completely. I don’t expect it to be too long before Fields solidifies himself, mostly because Andy Dalton doesn’t look like he has anything left.
The Bears’ offensive line is still a work in progress. It wasn’t very good last year and I suspect it won’t be much better this season. It’s a good thing Fields is mobile.
David Montgomery is a pretty good back and finds ways to get yards even without a whole lot of help from the line. Damien Williams is looking for a fresh start in the Windy City and should complement Montgomery well.
Allen Robinson is still the Bears’ top weapon in the passing game and will continue to make plays. Darnell Mooney is a talented kid who is definitely on an upward arc. Marquise Goodwin, Damiere Byrd, and Breshad Perriman will provide depth at receiver.
On the other side of the ball, the Bears should once again field a hard-hitting, aggressive defense. Upfront Akiem Hicks is still their best in the trenches while Eddie Goldman holds down the middle well.
Linebacker is Chicago’s best line of defense and Roquan Smith is everywhere. Smith can easily range from sideline to sideline and plays the pass as well as he does the run. Danny Trevathan is still very solid in the middle and you know what you will get from him.
On the outside, Khalil Mack is a force to be reconded with on the pass-rush. The addition of Robert Quinn last year was supposed to give Mack a bookend to help him out. The results were not what Nagy expected and the hope is that Quinn’s second season in Chicago will be more productive.
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson had a very nice rookie season last year. More will be expected from him this season. However, everything is up in the air after Johnson at corner. Kindle Vildor appears to be getting the nod opposite of Johnson while Xavier Crawford and Duke Shelley will battle for time.
Safety Eddie Jackson is the leader of the secondary and will be leaned on again to have a big season. Tashaun Gipson is solid opposite of Jackson and will need to be.
Chicago has many holes to fill, but they can still be dangerous defensively and that is what separates them from the Lions the most and will keep the Bears out of the NFC North cellar.