Chicago Bears: Five NFC North stars to watch out for

4. Ziggy Ansah

Aside from Matthew Stafford, Ziggy Ansah could be the biggest thorn in the Bears’ side when they play the Detroit Lions. If he can stay healthy, that is.

Ansah currently resides on the PUP list for the Lions, though it’s believed to only be precautionary. Issues with his ankle and shoulders slowed him down for much of last season, as he only recorded two sacks. If his rookie deal nearly up, he’ll need to show he can stay on the field in order to get that second contract in Detroit.

If he reverts to his form from his first three years in the league, that will do just fine for him. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be great for the Bears.

Over his first three years in the league, Ansah tallied 30 sacks, including 14.5 in a breakout 2015 campaign. For perspective, that was after Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh, his prior running mates on the defensive line, had left the team.

https://twitter.com/PFF_Brett/status/900384984464281604

Getting Ansah back to full strength will help the Lions’ cause in that aspect. And the Bears might need to get creative to keep him away from their quarterbacks if their tackles can’t hold him off.