Chicago Bears: Five biggest X-Factors for the 2017 season

1. Kevin White

Why is Kevin White the top X-factor for the Chicago Bears this upcoming season? Basically, because we have absolutely no clue just how good the former seventh-overall pick can be.

And that’s the point: if he comes out and plays like the guy the Bears drafted in 2015, he could completely change the trajectory of this team, both now and for the future.

We all know the deal with White by now: two years on IR with very little playing time at the NFL level. And while he flashed glimpses of what he can do last year, his inexperience also manifested itself on a few occasions. Coming into this season, he’s been similarly uneven in training camp practice thus far, having only one day on which he truly stood out. He also was completely shut out in their first preseason game last Thursday, not even registering a target.

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Coming into this season, he’s been similarly uneven in training camp practice thus far, having only one day on which he truly stood out. He also was completely shut out in their first preseason game last Thursday, not even registering a target. And yesterday, he had two catches for just two yards.

Many have already begun to label White a bust, closing their minds to the possibility that he could be good so as not to be burned again if he’s lost for another season.

And yet, as long as White is playing, one must acknowledge that within him still lies a potentially monster player.

Why can’t he be the guy who posted six catches for 55 yards in a half against the Detroit Lions in Week 4 last season?

And why can’t he always be the guy who makes plays like the one he makes in the second half of this video?

And this?

If he can post even a decent season alongside Meredith–say, 60+ catches for 750+ yards, five or more touchdowns–the Chicago Bears offense will far outstrip their production last year. And it would open up opportunities for everyone else: Howard, the tight ends, the slot receivers and Meredith especially.

Next: Grading the Bears' offense in second preseason game

And if White managed to explode, like he did during his final year at West Virginia, for even bigger numbers? Then we’re talking about a completely different Bears football team. Possibly a legitimately contending playoff team.

That’s what a healthy, producing Kevin White could do for the Chicago Bears.