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Chicago Bears: Five things to look watch for in 2017

By Carlos Nazario

Apr 28, 2017; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is interviewed after a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is interviewed after a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Will the new additions on offense help transform it?

The Chicago Bears offense struggled in 2016. It ranked 28th in points scored, 30th in turnovers, 24th in touchdown passes, 28th in interceptions thrown, and 22nd in rushing touchdowns. There were some good signs, however. They ranked 15th in total offensive yards, 10th in yards per pass attempt, and 6th in rushing yards per attempt.

Some of the biggest trouble the Bears offense had was at wide receiver. Kevin White again got hurt and missed almost the entire season. Alshon Jeffery missed four games due to a suspension for PED use, and Eddie Royal missed seven games due to injuries. Additionally, there were quite a few games in which the second and third line of receivers (sometimes even fourth) dropped some key passes. Some would put the Bears in scoring positions while others happened in the end zone, preventing the team from scoring much-needed points.

The top three quarterbacks leading the Bears combined for 18 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Brian Hoyer was the most effective (for lack of a better word) signal caller. He had 200 pass attempts and threw no interceptions. However, he only threw six touchdown passes.

In the offseason, Pace added Markus Wheaton, Kendall Wright, and Reuben Randle to shore up the wide receiver spot. If they can stay healthy and use their good hands, the Bears could have more big play options and more touchdowns.

The Bears also added Dion Sims to play opposite Zach Miller. Sims is one of the best pass-blocking tight ends in the league. While Sims and Miller have injury histories. Pace made another big move in the draft and signed Adam Shaheen.

Shaheen dominated Division II football. Some call him baby Gronk, comparing his skills to Rob Gronkowski, the amazing tight end of the New England Patriots. We need to see how he makes the adjustment from Division II football to the NFL.

Pace also added help along the offensive line, signing Tom Compton and Bradley Sowell, and drafting Jordan Morgan. He even added depth to the running back position, drafting Tarik Cohen.

Pace wants to transform the historically anemic Chicago Bears offense into a scoring machine. We saw that in former head coach Marc Trestman’s first season when the offense ranked second only to Peyton Manning’s historic Denver Broncos output.

We are looking forward to seeing how this offense begins to take shape in 2017.

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