Chicago Bears Mailbag: Chuck Pagano, Kareem Hunt and free agency

1. Expectations for Chuck Pagano

Out of all the defensive coordinators hired this offseason, you’ve gotta credit the Bears for being patient and bringing in a veteran like Pagano. What makes this hire even better is the fact that the Matt Nagy will allow Pagano to run the defense, without intervening.

Since he was hired as defensive coordinator, most have wondered what the Bears defense is going to look like under Chuck Pagano. As of right now, I see him bringing an aggressive mentality.

The last time Pagano was a defensive coordinator was in 2011 when he was a member of the Baltimore Ravens. That year, the Ravens defense would finish third in the league on defense in terms of points allowed. Allowing just 16.6 points per game, it’s clear that Pagano took a star-studded group and turned it into an elite one.

I expect him to also do the same for the Bears. Make the defense more consistent and also take it to another level, perhaps better than Vic Fangio. My reasoning for this is simple: I see Roquan Smith and Leonard Floyd, two up-and-coming players on the Bears defense as benefitting more than anyone.

Additionally, since he’s also a mastermind of the 3-4 defense, I expect to see continuity for the Bears. Heading into 2019, the Bears defense will be more mature and players will also be a higher level of chemistry.

Overall, Pagano’s aggressive mentality and the way he talked about the Bears defense in his introductory press conference has to get Bears fans and players excited. If the Bears defense plays at a high level all throughout 2019, Pagano could be the most underrated addition of the Bears this offseason.