The Chicago Bears may have won the NFC North last season, but that doesn't mean they can afford to look down on anybody. If anything, Ben Johnson's team has to keep its foot on the gas ahead of an even tougher season.
This is arguably the toughest and most competitive division in all of football. As such, they must keep a close eye on everything their rivals do. Judging by the Green Bay Packers' offseason moves, they have major expectations for Matthew Golden.
Considering this, Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus chose the second-year wideout as one of the strongest All-Breakout candidates for next season. Given how well he fared against the Bears in the playoffs, that's not great news:
"Golden’s rookie season was relatively pedestrian, with the first-round pick playing to a 72.7 PFF receiving grade with 1.53 yards per route run. However, he peaked in his final game of the year when he notched a 90.0 receiving mark, 3.50 yards per route run and 42 yards after the catch in Green Bay’s wild-card defeat vs. the Bears," Locker wrote.
The Bears need to limit Matthew Golden's explosiveness
The Packers broke a decades-long streak to take a wide receiver in the first round just because of Golden. His mesmerizing speed is a major concern as a perennial big-play threat, and the Bears' cornerback situation is far from ideal.
Tyrique Stevenson has left plenty to be desired more often than not, and Jaylon Johnson must step up after a disappointing season. This defense relied way too much on forcing turnovers last season, and that's not always sustainable.
The Packers spoon-fed Golden for most of his rookie season. His numbers were far from impressive, and he had to wait until the playoffs to score his first career touchdown. Now, with Dontayvion Wicks and Romeo Doubs no longer with the team, head coach Matt LaFleur will have no choice but to give his speedy wide receiver a bigger role.
The Bears will have to deal with that team twice a year at the very least. After years of suffering because of Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams, they can't afford to have the neighbors from Lambeau Field have another star pass catcher.
Dennis Allen's defense must make a statement with him this season. He looked like a potential bust as a rookie, and it's paramount to make sure the narrative stays the same in year two. Slowing him down will be easier said than done, but if Stevenson and Johnson can't do so, the Bears better find someone who can.
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