5 reasons the Chicago Bears will make the playoffs in 2018

Defense is good enough

While the Bears have undergone nearly a complete overhaul on offense in terms of personnel and scheme, the defensive unit remains mostly unaffected.

The Bears return virtually every starter from a defense that ranked 10th overall last season. Throw in Roquan Smith and some pass rushing help in Aaron Lynch, and they only get better.

But perhaps the most important returnee is Vic Fangio. The Bears’ defensive coordinator under Fox made the decision to return despite the new coaching staff. The continuity he’ll provide to the defense is invaluable. In fact, the Bears have what I like to call a “Crock-Pot” defense this year — just set it and forget it.

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If Fangio’s defense simply maintained their output from last year, they are a playoff caliber defense. However, based on Fangio’s track record it is more likely this unit will continue to improve. Not only has it shed older, less productive players, but it has added a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year in Smith. It will also see the return of two key contributors in Leonard Floyd and Danny Trevathan. Therefore, if this unit improves as expected, they go from a playoff caliber defense to a defense that could carry a team to the playoffs.