Following a disappointing 2019 season, the Chicago Bears are looking to prove that last year was a fluke and make a return to the postseason. But in order to do that, they’re going to need some leaders to step it up.
NFL.com’s Dan Hanzus predicted every team’s MVP for the 2020 season, and it’s no surprise that they chose Khalil Mack for the Bears. Which, if the case, would only mean great things for Chicago in 2020.
Mack is coming off a disappointing season, where he had a career-low 47 tackles and his 8.5 sacks and 14 quarterback hits were his lowest since his rookie season.
But, as is the case with Mack, the box score doesn’t tell the whole story. And given the absence of Akiem Hicks due to injury and an ineffective Leonard Floyd, Mack saw an increased focus on him.
Still, Mack is judged by his ability to disrupt an opposing offense and get after the quarterback. Which is exactly what NFL.com sees him doing more of in 2020.
Mack got a little too much heat for his “down” season in 2019. He still finished with 8.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and 30 quarterback hurries, just two behind some guy named Aaron Donald. Still, it’s fair to say Mack wasn’t dominant like he was during the healthy portion of his first season in Chicago. He’ll have to regain that game-wrecking ability to lift the Bears out of also-ran status in the NFC.
Thankfully, he’ll have more help. The addition of pass rusher Robert Quinn should give Mack a break from some of some of the double- and triple-teams he fought through in 2019. The return of defensive lineman Akiem Hicks from injury is another lift. Mack, 29, is squarely in his prime and fully capable of nabbing a second Defensive Player of the Year award.
The Bears are doing their part to help Mack. They strengthened their pass rush with the free-agent acquisition of Robert Quinn, who had 11.5 sacks with the Dallas Cowboys last season.
Quinn’s presence opposite Mack figures to be exactly the catalyst Chicago needs. While Floyd wasn’t able to take advantage of the one-on-one opportunities that come with Mack being on the opposite side, the Bears are banking Quinn to do just that.
And given Quinn’s penchant for getting after the quarterback, Mack figures to be a beneficiary of that.
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