Last season, the Chicago Bears gave up 2,287 rushing yards, sixth-most in the league. They gave up the fourth-most yards per carry (5.0), and the tenth-most 20+ yard carries (13). They ranked in the middle of the pack with 15 rushing touchdowns allowed, but everything else left plenty to be desired.
Instead of fixing that by bolstering the trenches, general manager Ryan Poles and the front office essentially ignored that need. That will be a big concern in their NFC North defending campaign, especially against some divisional rivals.
According to ESPN insider Ben Solak, the Minnesota Vikings are investing heavily in the running game, and with another year of their offensive line developing chemistry together, they could expose the Bears' shaky interior defensive line.
The Bears' interior defensive line will be a problem
"However the touches shake out, the Vikings are committed to insulating their starting quarterback with a better running game. They added ex-Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith to the staff in an effort to get more creative running the ball,” wore Solak. “In their second season with Donovan Jackson and Will Fries at guard, as well as the addition of strong blocking receiver Jauan Jennings in free agency, expect that improvement to continue."
Regardless of who wins the Vikings' underwhelming quarterback competition, Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason will be heavily featured on the offense. That will put the unimpressive Grady Jarrett to the test after a subpar first season in the Windy City.
The Bears gave up 235 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in their two meetings with the Vikings last season. With somewhat improved quarterback play from Kyler Murray, plus his mobility, the running game should be more of a threat in Minnesota next season.
This team still has a golden opportunity to right this wrong. Vita Vea wants a trade away from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Bears surely have the assets to pull off this move, though they would later have to get creative to accommodate his impending contract extension on their books.
Ben Johnson set the record straight and admitted that his team was the No. 1 candidate for regression this season. Notably, it looks like the front office didn't get that memo, as they left all of last season's flaws unaddressed while adding more talent to their already stacked offense.
Of course, giving Johnson and Caleb Williams the weapons they need to field an explosive offense is exciting and makes sense, but the best way to make the quarterback's life easier is by also having a defense that can actually get stops.
This team will have a tough time staying at the top of the division, and with everyone aiming for their crown and looking to exploit their weaknesses, they'd better get better on the trenches, or their time as Kings in the North will be short-lived.
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