No one expects the Chicago Bears to have success in 2020. Many have them pegged as one of the worst teams in the NFL, which is ridiculous considering they managed a 8-8 record amid an overall disappointing season.
But the Bears are determined to redeem themselves in 2020, even if many don’t believe in them. If Chicago has any hopes of returning to the postseason, they’re going to need to clean some things up on offense, maintain a dominant defense and get lucky along the way.
Let’s take a look at five things that need to happen for the Bears to have a successful 2020 season.
1. Defense leads the way
After a magical 2018 season, the Bears defense was always going to regress the following season. There was no way to replicate that dominance, which included a league-best 36 takeaways. But even during a down year, which included injuries to defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and linebackers Danny Trevathan and Roquan Smith, Chicago’s defense finished as a top-five unit that allowed the fourth-fewest points in the NFL in 2019.
Which is certainly impressive considering the woes of the offense. While the hope is that the Bears offense turns things around in 2020, any hope that Chicago has in a return to the postseason rests with the defense continuing to carry the team. They certainly can’t do it all on their own, but this defense needs to replicate their dominance in 2020. And considering some of the moves general manager Ryan Pace made this offseason, the Bears certainly have the talent to do just that.
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