Chicago Bears: 3 keys for defense’s success in 2018

1. Keep the linebackers clean

Following the Bears’ selection of Smith, more than a few fans tempered their optimism by noting that the young linebacker’s size could be a detriment to his NFL success. Why take a 6-foot-1, 230-pound (maybe) middle linebacker with the No. 8-overall pick? Wouldn’t a high-upside edge rusher have suited them better?

In particular, many lamented the fact that Smith functions better when no one’s blocking him than as a guy who stacks, sheds and brings down the ball carrier with ease.

Well…duh.

What linebacker doesn’t do his job best when he’s not being blocked? That’s what you try to build a dominant front seven.

And that’s what the Chicago Bears have tried to do for Smith, Trevathan and their linebacking corps.

https://twitter.com/nflnetwork/status/994593130518339584

Hicks, Eddie Goldman and the rotation of Jonathan Bullard, Roy Robertson-Harris and Nichols must occupy space every plat to let their athletic, speed-demon linebackers hunt the ball all over the field. Sacks and tackles-for-loss for them are great, obviously, but this task is secondary.

If the Bears win at the point of attack consistently, this system is going to be devastating. Smith and Trevathan’s speed and instincts will allow them to track ball carriers sideline-to-sideline, shoot gaps in zone blocking schemes and just ravage opposing run games. Truthfully, this unit could end up a top-five rushing defense in 2018 if everything goes right.

Then again, that’s something they really need to ensure happens with regularity. Both Smith and Trevathan are best when playing in space, not in congested areas (Trevathan’s not huge himself at 6-1, 240 pounds). So if the front fails to execute, this defense will start coming undone.

Like I said, though, what defense isn’t that true about?

It’s just slightly more important in this case because of the types of linebackers they will rely on. And that no doubt also extends to the outside linebacking crew as well.

If Hicks, Goldman and Co. can allow Floyd, Aaron Lynch and Kylie Fitts one-on-one scenarios on the outside as pass rushers and keep them from getting double-teamed on the edge, they’ll also thrive. Floyd especially can be a nightmare when you leave him alone with an overmatched right tackle.

Just another way in which the defensive front holds the key to torturing opponents.

The Chicago Bears wanted a fast defense, and they’ve taken big steps to build one. Now, they need to ensure that their athletes get to do damage.