Chicago Bears defense will surprise a lot of people this season
The Chicago Bears defense will make life difficult for a lot of teams in 2017.
A lot of people think that the Chicago Bears will once again not win a lot of games this upcoming season. Well, I’m here to tell you that I think the Bears will make the playoffs this season. Before you call me crazy, let me tell you why.
A big reason why is because of the Bears defense. Their defense will surprise a lot of people this season. Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is a well-respected coordinator is the NFL and his personnel is impressive. For starters, Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman can be one the best inside linebacker duos in the entire league.
"“You know when you’re on the field, you see a formation, you see a motion, you see certain things out there and you just look over,” Jerrell Freeman said, according to JJ Stankevitz of CSN Chicago. “You don’t even have to say anything. We know what’s about to happen, we know what’s going on or we know what kind of change we want to make. Just little things. You can go out there and ride.” “We can be the best tandem in the league,” Danny Trevathan said. “There’s no doubt in my mind.”"
Leonard Floyd who was the Bears ninth overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft looks to take that next step this season. Last season he played in 12 games and finished with seven sacks. I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes one of the best pass rushers in the league. Pair him with Pernell McPhee and the Bears have a potentially dominant duo at the outside linebacker position. The problem is that McPhee can never say healthy. He is currently on PUP list.
Defensive line
The biggest difference from last season to this season is depth. In the offseason, the Bears signed defensive lineman Jaye Howard, who played for the Kansas City Chiefs last season. Howard is a dominant run defender who shows an impressive combination of power and quickness. He should make a big impact this season for the defense.
More from Chicago Bears
- Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
- Next Chicago Bears starting quarterback makes Bowl Game decision
- Chicago Bears appear in the hunt while on track for the first pick
- Chicago Bears: They are who we thought they were
- Chicago Bears Rumors: Kevin Warren to oversee football operations
Akiem Hicks is a really good player and a player who the Bears should sign to a long term deal. Hick’s agent and the Bears reportedly are talking about an extension. Hicks is a leader and a guy who the offense hate going against. Hicks is a phenomenal player to have on your team. Eddie Goldman, Howard and Hicks is a starting defensive line that can dominate against the run. Hicks also brings some nice pass rush upside to the table.
Last season the Bears secondary was horrible and if their defense expects to be better this season, their defensive back play simply must improve. They struggled to generate turnovers and they couldn’t stay on the field as players had too many injuries.
A lot of new faces in the secondary
In the offseason, the Bears signed cornerbacks Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper. In order for the Bears secondary to have a bounce back season, they need to stay healthy and create turnovers. Amukamara and Cooper will not join to make the best starting cornerback duo in the NFL, but they immediately make their secondary a much better unit.
The safety position is one that should be very interesting to monitor throughout the season. In 2015, the Bears drafted Adrian Amos in the fifth round and he has started at free safety each of the last two seasons. Amos has yet to record an interception. That definitely needs to change this season.
Quintin Demps, who the Bears signed this offseason, had six interceptions for the Texans last year. Demps has the ability to create turnovers for the defense which the Bears defense haven’t done that well in recent years. Also, watch out for Bears rookie safety Eddie Jackson. This guy is big time.
Next: Predicting the Bears' 53-man roster to start season
Last season the Bears finished 15th in total defense and in 16 games the defense gave up an average of 25 points per game. But that was last season and this season is going to be different. I think this defense can be a top 10 unit this season. If the defense plays up to their potential, then the Bears have a good chance of making it into the playoffs. For now, continue to sleep on the Chicago Bears defense because the monsters of the midway will wake you up soon.