Chicago Bears: 5 things they can learn from remaining playoff teams

The Bears Need to Embrace Running the Ball

We’ve detailed the problems the Bears offense has faced, as well as what the recently retained staff and front office can do to make 2021 count. The Bears finally saw offensive success midway through the year after they plugged in former undrafted free agents and Notre Dame alumni Sam Mustipher and guard Alex Bars to the offensive line.

This took the pressure off of Mitch Trubisky, and he was able to run a less technical, but efficient offense, at least until better defensive coaches and players were able to neutralize the Bears new output. Granted offense came alive against weaker competition, but it helped the Bears see what they need to build on foundationally in 2021.

A team the Bears could emulate from this angle are the Cleveland Browns, who are making their first appearance in the playoffs in 18 years. They too utilize a top draft pick in QB Baker Mayfield, who came from a college spread system similar to Trubisky. He has had his ups and downs, but also has an offense that helps disguise his weaknesses

The Browns use heavy formations that feature multiple tight ends, and have not one but two excellent downhill backs with sneaky speed in Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb. This heavy personnel helps disguise intentions, and along with plenty of play action fakes, lets Mayfield have clearer vision downfield, since the odds are that more defensive backs will be closer to the line of scrimmage to dissuade the run game.

The Bears had the recipe similar to this during their late season three game win streak, but downfield and intermediate shots were missing, which would have opened up things underneath even more for Trubisky’s low grade patented rollouts and boot legs. Bears GM Ryan Pace already has the bell cow running back for it in David Montgomery, and is partway through reshaping the Tight End room as well.